Dogs seem to be simple creatures who seem to focus on nothing other than sniffing an occasional heigny or chasing a ball, but when you gain the friendship of a dog you know that that simple dog is a lot smarter than you could ever know. Tigger had more intelligence than a lot of people I know. It may sound rude, but if you knew her you would understand that that is no insult. She was screaming smart and had a loyalty to her family that never failed. We first brought Tigger home as a Christmas present for my father who desperately wanted a boxer for so many years. The family had a long run of springer spaniels and the breed just wasn't cutting his need for a dog who really understood what it meant to have fun. So after years of hearing his ache to own a boxer we finally bought him his boxer. Tiggy fulfilled that need, created her patterns in our life and brought happiness to everyone in the family. She was my unjudging companion through high school and college. The one I could always count on to be up for an adventure through the country side. Tigger would swim with me for hours and never leave my side. Her consistency was expected, her loyalty appreciated, and her joy desperately needed.
We lost Tigger a week ago. It was as if I wrote a letter to God asking for the perfect ending to her life. Though the end came before any of us were ready…it was just perfect. She was 11 years old and always struggled with poor knees which led to multiple surgeries that left her struggling to do the things she loved. On this day the sky was lit up and the ocean waves were rolling in in large 10 foot swells. The air smelled of the ocean, it was warm and beautiful in every way. The entire family was there as the dogs played, chomped on sticks, and chased a tennis ball into the waves. As we were walking back to the car Tiggy collapsed. She was having a heart attack and we knew at that moment it was the end. We held her, told her how much we loved her and touched her fur hoping to remember just how soft her fur was. I grasped at her just trying to memorize every aspect of her. We were all holding on to our best friend not wanting to say goodbye to her and the memories that came with looking her in the eyes. It was such a blessing that were all together and had a chance to say good bye. The waves still crashed in the distance without a sole around. We were able to cry and comfort each other without a soul overlooking us. The end of Tiggy's life was just perfect as though I wrote to God with a request for the perfect ending. Tiggy spent her last moments playing on the beach and spending time with us. And as a best friend of Tiggy there is no better way to spend time with her.
So if you are a dog owner, hug your dog. Even if she wiggles away for something more exciting. Hug your dog, play with her, and embrace all the gifts that your dog bring into your life. For Tiggy she was constantly there for us. She had the cure for heart ache, the solution for loneliness, and she was our strength when life got hard. That is true love.
I'll miss you Tigger!!!!


Here are a few pictures that were taken the day before we lost her. She is the black brindle on the left.