9+ years

Is not nearly long enough. Good-bye, Rip Van Winkle, our beloved black lab. You made life better for us. I will miss your enthusiasm for all things regarding food, squirrels, and tennis balls. I already miss those slobbery kisses that you gave unhesitatingly. I woke up this morning without you staring me in the face, which was different. We will never forget you. The overgrown galumpus, with a tail that was constantly wagging.

Someone once told me that there are happy labs and smart labs. You were by far the happiest dog I have ever had in my family. Many good memories of watching you run around, chasing the kids and being chased by them. Of the boy getting many french kisses from you...and going back for more. The girl, when she was just a toddler, watched the Kentucky Derby and tried to use you as a horse the next day. You didn't care, she was your buddy.

You and food! You learned pretty quickly after arriving at our house where the prime spot was at the dinner table...underneath the high chair! Cleaned up the carpet better than any vacuum. You were also known to grab at food left within reach...and your reach went pretty far. I think I'm still annoyed by the loaf of homemade bread you took from the counter as it was cooling.

All from a dog who wasn't supposed to be ours. When we went to the adoption fair after moving into our first house, I had told hubby "No puppies. I do NOT want to deal with puppy issues, I want a housetrained dog." While he filled out the paperwork to see if we were good enough for adoption, I took the girl (who was only 2 years old) down to look at dogs. "Puppy!" "There anudder PUPPY!" We stopped at a cage with 6 puppies...and the runt of the litter was placed into my arms. A little fluffball with a nose and ears sticking out of the fluff. And injuries from his big brothers and sisters that were infected so he was on topical antibiotics.  When hubby found us, he saw me cooing over you. "Honey, we found our dog!" You know, 9 years later, he is still laughing at me for that one.

You are loved. You are missed Rip.