I still miss you Flash, every day. My world is not the same since you had to leave, but my world will always be better for the time you were here.
Your yard is empty without you. It is waiting for you. I am waiting for you. My heart is empty without you. This has been such a hard year without you. I miss you today as much as I missed you the morning you had to leave us. Saturday was a sunny morning like that last morning you had with us. I think you made the sun shine again. Thank you my friend.
Twelve years ago today, Flash came to live with us. He was about ten months old. He had been in training with the Wisconsin Academy for Graduate Service Dogs (WAGS), but did not complete the program. He was a loving family dog, but it seems he hadn’t wanted to be a working dog. Still, in his later years, he watched over Mocha and, without our ever having encouraged it, would alert us when she was moving around or seemed to be in any distress. He would come to us instantly if any of us seemed to be in need, even just doing exercises on the floor. He would hide when our voices got too loud, and we would have to stop.
We miss Flash so much.
Here is a picture with his trainer when they came to check us out and see how the adoption might be, two weeks before we were allowed to take him in to our home. He is listening intently to his trainer even though there was so much to be distracted by. A big yard. A new dog. Two new people. And Mocha listening to the trainer also, as she always did, wanting to please and do the right thing. She soon became the lead dog though when Flash came home.
And this is from his first camping trip, still with a puppy face.
By his second camping trip, two months later, he was pretty comfortable with the whole idea. We hadn’t counted on needing three chairs.
Flash, I miss you so much. It has been so hard to be without you especially during these terrible times. You would have had your paws full comforting and taking care of us. And we could have taken care of you.
Our lives, our home, our family are irretrievably changed today. We lost Flash today, our beloved black lab who came to us as a 10 month old pup in 2007. We are heartbroken.
He had a routine visit to the vet earlier today, but had worsened breathing problems after that, and never quite recovered. In his last moments he wanted to be out in his back yard, which he certainly considered his domain and where he loved to be no matter the weather. It was cool today but sunny, and he left us in the warm sunlight.
I can’t write anymore now, I cannot see the screen because my tears are too heavy. But here are some pictures from an album we made for Flash in 2015. My heart is broken. I miss you so much.
Look at Flash’s album from 2015: https://tinyurl.com/qkjbj4r
Let’s Play!
My portrait at Happy Dogz 2014
Flash and Mocha at Happy Dogz 2014
2019 Menu
Quiet Stone Thanksgiving Dinner
Turkey Breast a la Tante Marie
Spicy Lemon-Ginger Bread Stuffing
Quick Egg Bread Dinner Rolls [secret recipe – you must be present to taste]
La Follette Chardonnay 2015
Pumpkin Pie w/Whipped Cream
Just a year ago…and I miss you every day. Here is the first time you were our assistant brewmaster, standing by “Sweet Brown Dog Ale,” you were no bigger than a 5 gal. carboy.
