Goodbye Peggy

It has been over 2 weeks since we last saw our dog, Peggy. She ran out of the house on a very hot Saturday morning and hasn't come home yet. We believe she kept on running and that her "wild" side finally took over. After having checked the local shelters we have given up on her return. So in honor of Peggy being our dog for the past 6 1/2 years, here's a tribute to her:

Peggy, Peggy Sue, Pegasauras, Pegster, Peg-a-leg, Peg Peg, The Black-and-White

We got you when you were only 5 weeks old - you were smaller than your stuffed duck toy!

I was pregnant with Natalie and you loved to sleep on my lap when I'd drive over to see Dan at work in the evenings.

You gave me comfort and protection while Dan worked nights and I was alone.

You potty-trained immediately after we brought you home.

You loved playing with Gandalf & Sandy (our cats) as well as their cat home.

You also loved to run out the door before we put your leash on.

You never came to your name or anything else we called you.

You grew and then Natalie was born.

You knew you'd been replaced and you became nervous.

You decided that you liked babies, but didn't like them once they could walk.

Nathan was born and you loved him, you gave him dog kisses.

You never did like to take a bath or swim with us in my parent's pool.

The kids got older and you grew more nervous.

You tried to escape out the door at any chance you got.

But you always came back.

We went to Houston for 24 hours without letting you out and you had no accidents - you had the strongest bladder of any dog around.

Tyler was born and you loved him as well.

You had to be sedated at the vet's office to get your nails trimmed.

They called you a "fear-biter."

But you never bit any of us, just growled a lot.

You would never let us touch you unless you wanted it.

You came to me every morning as I was waking up for me to scratch behind your ears.

You slept between Dan's legs every night in our bed.

You were the ultimate guard dog - you barked at anyone or anything that moved outside our house.

You considered the entire street your domain and also loved to bark at neighbors in their own yard.

We sometimes acted like we didn't know you.

You always got to stay home and "guard the house" whenever we went camping and took Hank with us.

You were considered a "bad dog" on occassion.

But we still loved you.

You lived up to your namesake- Dan wanted to call you Peggy so he could say "Dang it, Peggy!" (King of the Hill)

You loved to make a mess of the garbage in the trash cans.

You rarely got sick, and always had lots of energy.

You loved to run after squirrels or birds.

You were the only dog we'd ever seen catch flies.

We now have too many flies in the house.

Peggy, wherever you are, whether running free in a field or with your Maker, I hope you are now happy and free of all the anxieties that plagued your life with us. We tried to give you a good home. We love you and miss you.

Goodbye Peggy