True Lab

Last week, our dear dog Scout became an official member of "Doggie Heaven" as we lovingly refer to it at our home. Scout has been a member of our family for 12 years - she joined us when we had another lab, Dixie. Dixie was the dearest lab you would ever meet. She was gentle, calm, and loved to sneak on the couch when we were not home - so it only seemed fitting that when we got Scout we thought she would follow suit in the calm, loving ways of Dixie. Were we ever wrong. Scout was feisty, determined, stubborn, sometimes sweet, and playful. She tended to back talk - especially to me - who she thought she could push around by intimidating. And sometimes she did.

Like the odd couple, Dixie and Scout formed a friendship. They were protective together when we welcomed our son home from the hospital. Neither one would leave his side or his swing or his play bouncy seat. A few years later Dixie passed away leaving Scout solo. Scout continued her feisty ways - but she did not have a friend to impress so she settle down a bit. Years when by, we welcomed our daughter home and Scout was protective all on her own. The kids have gotten older and Scout loved to play with them. In the last few years, we called her a weekend dog - I think between her fear of walking up stairs and her back legs starting to fail, she did not venture in the area of the home we "live" in. But she loved the weekends, she came to life playing with the kids in the yard and keeping helping Michael company during renovation.

So it was with a heavy heart that we said goodbye to Scout last week. I already miss the back-talking bark she gave me each morning right when I turned around and headed up the stairs- even though it made me jump - but I am happy she has joined her pal, Dixie, in "Doggie Heaven"