Chuck Billy, today marks six months since you came running downstairs in the morning, did a barrel roll across our dog beds in the living room while grabbing a toy, checked to make sure your breakfast was waiting in your bowl, before heading outside to play in the snow. Six months since you stood next to mom’s desk at 3:00 PM slowly escalating your reminders that it was almost dinner time, with first a stare, then a grunt, paws stomping, and finally using your snout to knock Mom’s hands off the keyboard, before rushing downstairs triumphantly for dinner at 5:00 PM. Chuck Billy, it has been six months since you’ve gone on neighborhood patrol, happily wagging at the commuters, pausing at your favorite neighbor’s driveway hoping she’d come out and join us, while watching for any suspicious squirrel activity. Six long months without you.
I miss your smile, especially when you were up to shenanigans. I miss how you’d trick me with a distraction and take whatever toy I was playing with, or push me out of the way to be in the prime petting spot next to Mom. I miss how you would chase after your favorite bacon scented squeaky ball over and over again without ever getting bored with fetch. I miss how excited you’d get when you saw Dad take out our adventure bag, spinning and barking with delight at the door to hurry up and go. I miss how when posing for pictures we’d get a case of sillies. I miss how while out on adventures, you’d remember dinner time was approaching, and remind us it was time to return home. I miss how you insisted the pack must always stay together, even if it meant barking to alert everyone that Dad was in a port-o-potty at a park. I miss your emergency drills at the slightest beep on TV or dying smoke alarm battery chirp, ushering us all to safety in the yard. I miss how we’d cuddle in your crate or on your dog bed after a long day of fun together. I miss how when I accidentally annoyed you, you’d simply sigh, and accept me for who I am. I miss your reassuring presence on the droopy tail days after my long visits at the animal hospital. I miss celebrating with you all the happy milestones in our lives. I miss the quiet moments together. I miss you my brother!
I am grateful that I had ten wonderful years with you, and that Mom and Dad had close to thirteen! 12+ years of love and laughter! 12+ years of being reminded of the rules and the all important schedule that you trained Mom and Dad to abide by. I am grateful that you are back by Lemmy’s side, who only had two years with you. He must be so proud of the dog you became. We are grateful for 12+ years of life lessons that we will always carry in our hearts along with precious memories of you. Thank you Chuck Billy, for being YOU! I love you! See you at the end of the trail, my brother….
