Hi Chuck Billy, We did it! It was very difficult. But we did it! We finally retuned to Fort McClary since you crossed Rainbow Bridge eight months ago. Mom, Dad and I have so many happy memories of going there with you, that we just couldn’t bring ourselves to return without you. But I also know you’d want us to return to keep making new memories, while fondly remembering the past. So we packed a picnic, and went there one evening in early August.

Remember that time we were there while enjoying a peanut butter snack, and that couple wanted to pet us? Oh the looks they gave Dad when he responded, “Don’t pet them! They’re having a snack!” And how Mom couldn’t stop laughing at that unexpected response, as the couple walked away, shaking their heads in disbelief. But Dad knew how much you loved your peanut butter, and wouldn’t want to be interrupted to meet adoring fans. Mom and Dad, on the other paw, had many picnics interrupted by folks wanting to pet us. Ok, so you helped by posing in adorable ways, that would make ignoring us impossible.

That couple wasn’t the only ones to hear the word, “no,” at that park. Remember all those hours we spent there working on Mom and Dad’s training? You never did like it when our trainer “surprised” us there. Yet you always were better than me at rocking the sit/stay with interruptions. You would majestically stay on the large granite blocks, holding court while dogs walked by barking at you, kids ran up wanting to pet you, and others would marvel from afar at your self-control to stay as Mom and Dad walked farther and farther away. The entire time you would keep your focus on Dad and Mom. Alright, it was usually Dad you forced on. He always was your favorite.

You weren’t always so focused though. There was the time you broke away from your leash and went for a run in the mud! For once, I looked like the good boy obeying the rules. You always did know just how far you could bend the rules, while making Mom and Dad laugh.

Or how about all those times, when it was you, not me, making a silly face to make me laugh when Mom was trying to take a photo! You sure could be goofy when you wanted to be!

But I don’t blame you! We posed for a lot of photos there over the years.

I even got better at posing as time went by! Odd how I tended to naturally always sit on that side of you. You must have taught me that too.

Speaking of time, it was here that Angel Lemmy took you on one of your first adventures! Oh how you loved meeting the historical reenactors that day. Maybe that sparked your interest in history?

You continued that tradition by taking me there as a puppy. Alright, I admit it took awhile to get that posing for photos part right. You were a natural at striking a pose from an early age. Me, not so much!

It’s hard to believe as of today you’ve been gone 8 months. It sure felt strange posing there without you. But it also felt good to be back at our old stomping grounds.

During your 12 years and 11 months we enjoyed countless picnics. Posed for countless pictures. And made countless memories at this small park. We promise to continue to treasure those memories, while creating new ones.