We had a family dog every since I was in third grade. Her name is ToeToe, yes ToeToe, odd enough for a pets name I know. She was a great dog, but I always took her companionship for granite. Anytime we would come home she ran to the door to greet us and acted as if we were gone for what seemed to be a lifetime. She said her hellos with a soft bark and settle sniffs when she thought you weren't looking. The sniffs were to make sure we didn't cheat on her by hanging out with other animals.
When I left to join the Marine Corps she would not move from my bed for days and weeks. My mom closed the door so she wouldn't go in my room. When this happened she would lay by the entrance to my room. Toe, that's what we called her for short, slowly slept farther and farther from my room with each passing month I was away. Until finally she was back in her doggie bed. However, during thunderstorms she would leave her bed to sleep in my open room, or take for her former position in front of my door. I guess to feel protected or comforted. Whatever her reasons were it was what made her our loved family pet.
A few weeks ago we had to put her to sleep. Her vision failed her. She wasn't able to bend down, but would fall to sit down. Her joints tensed up to the point were she couldn't jump anymore.
She was cremated and buried in a wooden box. Her name on a golden plaque affixed in the middle of the lid. My only regret is I didn't get to see her before she passed.
