My best friend died.
I've been trying to write this entry for about a week, but quite frankly, I'm still kinda in shock about the whole thing so please forgive its tardiness.
Of course you know about my sweet Watson. He was such a big part of my life that it would be difficult for you not to know about him.
Typically, after someone would ask how I was doing the next question was always, "How's Watson?"
I miss him.
Every year, he would make Santa's "Naughty" list, but he was still the best dog out there.
I miss the way he would follow me everywhere. His soft ears. His innocent eyes. The way he would run in his sleep. His bark at the doorbell. How he'd play ball with himself. His excitement about anything. His silly dances. His morning "doga" moves as he made stretching noises like Chewbacca. I even miss how he would try to eat everything off the street.
Watson was a very stubborn, determined rascal. He had many fights over chicken bones and bit many people in his pursuits. Somehow, people managed to forgive both of us for his naughtiness. He always meant well, but somehow that appetite and big nose of his always got him into trouble.
He was destructive.
Soon after I got him he ripped up my specially-designed couch from Ethan Allen. He ate the backseat of my car -- and most of the seatbelt. He ate my iPod. He probably ate your lunch at some point.
He was good at being bad.
So why do I miss him so much?
Because in the midst of it all, he was worth every sacrifice I made for him. He was very loving and (surprisingly) obedient (sometimes). His personality was like no other dog I'd ever met.
When I first saw him at the pound, he was caged with a beautiful golden retriever. I wanted a beagle because I'd read that they were good with families and I figured I should be safe and get a "child-friendly" dog in case I had kids.
There sat Watson. Quiet and serene. He was kind.
I found out after adopting him... he was also high. He had been neutered that day and was still feeling the effects from the drugs.
But by that time, we had already become attached to one another; he quickly turned into a velcro dog, complete with every aspect of separation anxiety when i would leave him.
He was a handful.
And I miss him.
His sister-kitty, Bonnie, and I have been adjusting to the silence of our home. I still hear the other dogs in the hallway and wake up saying his name. I still feel sadness when I don't get to walk him. And I just miss seeing his sweet face around.
His death was extremely sudden and unexpected. He was diagnosed with visceral hemangiosarcoma -- an extremely cruel and aggressive cancer that appeared as two lumps in his heart. The doctors believed that he'd had it only a few weeks at most -- which is how long most dogs survive with it.
He showed little signs. But last Wednesday night, he was unlike I'd ever seen him. I took him to the Pet E.R. and I honestly thought he'd make it. They removed 90mL of blood from around his heart. He perked up and was his usual sweet self. But the next morning the bleeding returned, worse than before.
Watson's breathing had slowed, his disposition soured... he was an unhappy puppy. And it was time.
All too quick for me.
I will never know how old he was.
I hope he's saving a spot for me in Heaven. We often speak of the Celestial Kingdom, but honestly, I am aiming for the happiness of the Animal Kingdom to be near my best of friends.
I miss you sweet boy.
This Christmas I will watch "Marley & Me" and think of him. That lil rascal touched my heart in many ways I never thought possible. Pets just have a gracious way of teaching us how to live in the moment and to love and forgive no matter what.
If you have any stories of Watson from the naughty or nice list, please share them with me. He was a bonehead for sure, but... to me he was the best bud I had.