I saved this post for last to wrap up my good-bye to Artie.  I think it will be the hardest for me to write.  More than sleeping, more then eating, more than walking, more than anything else, Artie loved us.  Totally.  Completely.  Unconditionally.  He showed it every day in so many ways.  From the way he greeted you at the door to the way he took his guard dog duties so seriously, Artie showered us in love the only way he knew how.

He loved to curl up next to you on the sofa and lay his head in your lap.  If you knelt beside him on the floor, he’d always roll over and give you his belly to scratch.  He loved licking the girls’ after they got out of bath and he’d lick their faces clean after any messy meal.  He guarded us with his big bark and scary teeth.  He’d patrol the front yard and street from our front window so when we pulled up in the car we’d see his head peeking over the sill, ears alert and eyes bright.  Woe to the poor solicitor who knocked on our door and the UPS men would never stick around for me to greet them.  I don’t think he’d really eat them but I never wanted to find out.  Artie took his job so seriously.  He always lay in the doorway or faced the open door.  On walks he’d scan for unruly bikers, vicious puppies or questionable two year olds.  We were his people and he kept us safe.  He kept us happy.  He kept us loved.

For Kevin, it was the nightly greeting.

For the girls, it was never ending patience.

For me?  For me it was constant companionship.

We will miss you Artie but we will never forget you.  We will hold you in our hearts and our memories for the rest of our lives.   You did your duty to the end and though we will miss you sorely, I know you can rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that no harm fell on us during your watch.  I guess we’ll have to take it on our own from here on out.

My puppy, my fat sausage, my farty dog, my sweet old man.  Thanks for all the walks, all the licks, all the snuggles, and all the love…..

For the soul of every living thing is in the hand of God.

Job 12:10