The Texas Ginger : BTW

The Goodest Puppy

Heidi Kodi Zipper Rocky (the cat ) Zeus Athena

Guinness Luna Izzy Suri
(in the order of owning/having)

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a dog.

There was a stint with a cat (don't judge...LOL), but even then - dogs.

In the past two years, we have sent three pups over the rainbow bridge.

Today, we say goodbye, to Guinness.

He came to us as 'Elvis'. I always joked that he lied to us. Having rescued him from the Southwest Rottwieller Rescue, as he grew it was clear that he was more Doberman/German Shepherd mix than an actual Rottweiler. He was so little...sigh.

When he came on the scene, it was at the tail end (see what I did there? hee hee) of Athena's time with us. Athena had been my second Rottie and 'my' dog if you will. Once she left us, Guinness was solo for a bit. About 6-mos in, it was decided he needed a buddy.

Enter Luna.

Ma Dog, Luna

Rescued from the Grand Prairie shelter, we found her on their website. The moment I saw her, I knew she was mine.

Those last days * 2020

Once home, we brought her into the house. A much younger Guinness, chewing on his rope, looked up. Couldn't be bothered. Luna gingerly went over, laid down across from him, nose-to-nose and started chewing the other end of the rope.

Fast friends.

In 2020, we received a heartwrenching call from the vet. During her dental cleaning, the tissue was dissolving.

Cancer...sigh.

We had two more weeks with her and had to say goodbye.

All too quickly.

Not long after, Izzy had to be let go (Izzy had been Darrin's dog when we married in 2018). Doing the math, yes, we had three dogs at one point. Izzy's cancer had rapidly metastasized. Riddled with cancer, riddled with pain. Farewell...sigh (this really sucks by the way).

Izzy

It was just Guinness (again).

It was decided we would not be getting another dog.

D'OH

Enter Suri (never say never...lol)

Make no mistake, Suri was DARRIN'S dog

While Guinness and Suri were not fast friends, they tolerated each other.

And then - only 3 years after having Suri, her health turned.

We had to put her down.

Have I mentioned, this sucks?

Which leads us to today.

I have waffled over this decision for a while. I've joked about it (if you know you know). However, over the past week, it is clear that this is the kindest thing we can do for this FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD pup. His dementia is escalating, he struggles to get up, and he is barely eating.

I've even asked him to go on his own...sigh.

I spoke to his veterinarian this morning. She's known him from the day we brought him home. She affirmed it is the kindest next step.

He's had a good life.

The girls have loved loved LOVED this dog.

He is also loved by SO. MANY. OTHER. KIDS.