loss of a friend...

a snow baby through and through... with those big baby blues...

a joyful romp through the first big snow of the year!!!!

hangin' out and looking handsome

Yesterday we lost a dear friend, and our "first" furry baby. Dakota was a wonderful dog, a rescue from the shelter 13 years ago. He was not a puppy when we first brought him home, but he had been abused and was terrified of everything. His first weeks home he growled at the microwave, jumped every time the phone rang, and was terrorized when I moved a table. After many months of love and care he really settled in and became a wonderful friend and companion. He even learned to like our cats, after a bit of reminding that they were friends, not food.

When Julianna was born he adjusted well to having to share us and our attention, he even tolerated her tugging at his ears and tail, grumbling only when she tried to crawl over him. He loved to go for long walks with us and the stroller, sometimes even going to the beach for a swim (crazy since Huskies are not supposed to like water:-). He was always happy to play in the yard, racing in circles like a maniac, or just hang out by my feet while I sat and read. If you gave him a chance he would often try to curl up in your lap, he thought he was a lap puppy:-).

Dakota was a wonderful dog, so very full of life and fun, leaping in the snow banks like a young pup. The kids miss him already, as does Cricket, she seems a bit lost, but I will truly miss my friend, my late-night movie companion, the one who greeted me on my return with joyful kisses. There is no other dog like him, none could ever replace his spirit, or his beauty, and he will be missed.