Farewell Loyal Friend

Before Mike and I were married, we promised one another that we would look for a dog once we were home from our honeymoon. So that's exactly what we did. Just days after returning home, we drove up to the Animal Rescue in Maryland Line, Maryland to "look around." When we entered the gate, we were welcomed by a large pack of dogs. However, as we roamed through the yard and in and out of the buildings, two dogs were constantly by our side.

Casey, a black lab, was a little too large for us and had an odd habit of going through your legs. After being lifted off my feet once or twice, I didn't think I could handle it daily. Then there was Homer. A sweet tempered dog with big brown eyes that were full of love and life. We hadn't made the drive thinking we would adopt a dog that day, but those puppy dog eyes pulled at our heartstrings. Mike and I also joke that it was fate since my parents had a dog named Bart at the time. Before we left that day, we applied to adopt him and received word that we had been approved three days later. On August 26, 2003, we brought home our first "baby."

For almost eight years, Homer was a loyal listener, companion and buddy. He hardly seemed to care when our nieces, nephews and Miles poked him, pulled his tail or used him as horse or climbing apparatus. He was a good snuggler and almost always knew the right moment to push your arm up so he could rest his head on your lap. He was an equal opportunity dog, never showing signs of favoritism. If you were petting him, he was by your side. When you stopped, he moved on to the next person. Our once 85 pound lap-dog (or pot-belly pig as my dad called him) was the protector of all who loved him. His love was unconditional.

Homer LOVED fruit, especially strawberries and apples, and would come running any time he heard the ice maker popping ice out of the freezer. His favorite time of year had to have been the first snow fall. He would beg to go outside and lick the snow until he came in shivering. This would go on and on every time there was snow on the ground. (Honestly, Mike and I grew tired of it rather quickly each year.) But, Homer would prance around like a deer in a meadow and scarf up the ice like a child in a candy store. He was also always under your feet when the aroma of anything cooking filled the air. After Miles was born, and he realized the baby wasn't going anywhere, Homer stayed close by to help clean up any mealtime messes the kid made. It was common for us to hear Miles yelling at Homer for licking the food off his lap and legs while he was still eating - "MO-MER NOOO!!"

Sadly, today was Homer's last day with us. For the last year or so he's been dealing with kidney dysfunction, but we were able to manage it. Unfortunately, in mid-May he took a turn for the worse. We tried several different things to help him, but nothing worked. On Friday, June 17th, he ate his last meal and refused everything we put in front of him, including his favorite foods. At four o'clock this afternoon, Mike and I said farewell to our loyal friend.

We love you Homer. Until we meet again at Rainbow Bridge...