One year ago, on October 21, our world changed forever.  Our Grandpa’s brave battle with Alzheimer’s ended.  There are times I forget he’s gone, and when visiting Grandma I will search their house looking for him.  That is until I remember he’s not there.  However, there have also been times in the past year when Grandpa has sent us “signs” that he’s still watching over us, and for that we are grateful.  We’re thankful too for when happy memories come bubbling up to the surface at the least expected moments, making us laugh again.  I wanted to share some of those memories with you today, but Mom is having droopy tail day.  So instead while Asa and I cuddle with Mom, I’m just going to share the tribute I wrote one year ago.  Miss you Grandpa!  Thanks for being the best grandfather a dog could ask for!  I hope you and Lemmy are enjoying a great day together.  We’ll meet again at the end of the trail…

Goodbye Grandpa… 

Grandpa, Mom’s Dad, has gone on ahead of us and has been greeted by Lemmy at the end of the trail.  His long battle with Alzheimer’s is over.  I take great comfort though knowing that he and Lemmy are together again.  They were the best of friends from the moment they met.  Ok, I know that doesn’t sound like much since Golden Retrievers make friends with everyone, but their relationship was truly special.  I’m not sure who would get more excited when they saw each other, Lemmy or Grandpa.  And oh how they played!  The four paws on the floor rule certainly did not apply when Grandpa was visiting.  This often led to both Lemmy and Grandpa getting a time out by Mom!

As a puppy, I didn’t understand what Alzheimer’s meant.  All I knew was that Grandpa could never remember my name, and always called me Lemmy.  Even if I was standing right next to Lemmy!  I would get mad and stomp my paws or grunt because I didn’t understand why he didn’t notice I was more handsome, intelligent, athletic…ok, you get the picture.  But then one day Grandpa had a stroke, and while visiting him in the rehab hospital a nurse asked him who we were.  Without hesitation he put on the biggest smile and enthusiastically responded, “They’re my grandsons!”  It was then I realized no matter what Grandpa called me, he loved me.  After that I responded to Lemmy’s name with pride.  And as time progressed and I became just “Doggie,” I continued to beam with pride because I knew Grandpa still loved me.

By the time Asa joined our family, Grandpa could no longer roll around and wrestle on the floor with us.  But that didn’t matter to Asa.  He liked to snuggle up to him placing his head on Grandpa’s lap so he could be petted.  Grandpa loved hearing the stories of our antics, and every day Mom would tell him about our latest adventures.  He would light right up and laugh at Asa’s silliness, and comment about how smart I am.  In fact, Grandpa would happily tell everyone he met about us, and took great amusement in not revealing until the end of the story that his grandsons were dogs.

It’s hard to imagine our lives now without him.  But I am so grateful for the time that we did share.  Have fun playing with Lemmy again, we’ll see you at the end of the trail Grandpa.  We love you!