Rueben

✎ When were they the bravest?
Snappies, sassy woofs and head tosses, walking us to ice cream, laying on his back, half bow stretches, giant head with a perfect slope,

You were so tired and obviously not feeling well. It just felt like you were done. And I am so sorry. I wish I had gotten you help back in April when the first hemorrhagic gastroenteritis episode happened. I was clueless and didnt want to see what was right infront of me. I was treating the symptoms, not the cause.

You are my everything and I dont know how I will go on without you. You were my last connection to Annie, my last connection to grandpa, and the first pet that was truly mine.

I think I gave you a good life... I tried to learn your language, your fears, your anxieties, the things you love, the things you tolerated, the things you disliked.

I got you sooooo many mOnkeys over the years, and they were worth every penny just to see you grab them and take them to our bed. To see you tear the tag off, chew the ears off, rip the muzzle open, open the little legs, and destuff it. You would use it as a pillow and it was one of my favorite things.

You left too soon and I hate the world for taking you from me. You should be here. I keep expecting you to come home from the hospital. I keep expecting you to be laying in the hallway, or on my bed. I am so so sorry my sweet handsome boy. I will never be the same without you.

✎ How did they look at you when they wanted something?
When you wanted a Costco milk bone, you would boop the container and then look at me. I would indulge you 99% of the time. I would open the container, hand you a cookie, and ususally say something like "here you go, kind sir". You would grab your cookie and take a trotting jump up into our bed. You would curl up half way, flick your tail once or twice, and then lay down. You would cruch soooo loud and chew with your mouth wide open so it echoed. It always brought a smile to my face no matter how much I was hurting or struggling.

If I could tell you one thing now, it would be that you are my everything. I dont know how I will go on without you. Life feels empty. And I am so so sorry the end of your life was so hard. You suffered and I NEVER wanted that for you. I am so so sorry

My rueben booben. Ruby tubey. Ruby tuesday. Rue. Rue Rue. Big man. Sir. Sweet boy. Handsome boy. Bubba. Bubby. My love. Brave boy. Good boy.

Your favorite things: mOnkey, tiny tennis balls, soft serve ice cream, puppy patties, Costco milk bones, whipped cream, tikka misala, your mom, your grandma, swimming, rat hunting, walks

Your dislikes and fears: thunderstorms, gunshots and fireworks (but those fears got significantly better after putting you on sertraline), strangers touching you without your permission, strangers in your home or yard, akitas and a good number of pointy earred dogs, uncle Greg, aunt Michelle's car salesman neighbor,