March 29, 2008

Heaven is a tropical island made of waffles and turkey

Today (3/29/08) we had to put my sweet little Sproutie to sleep. She was 112 dog years old and things were slipping fast.

We got Sprout at the Humane Society about 12 years ago. They told us she was 4 years old. The people that brought her in brought 11 other dogs that looked JUST like her. They had dogs that had puppies, that had puppies, that had puppies.. she was probably totally inbred. We brought her home with knotted fur to her paws and chucked her in the tub. Under all that hair was this tiny little Sprout of a dog.

She was such a quirky little mutt. She was absolutely terrified of snowmen, balloons and wrapping paper tubes. She LOVED to lick ears, we hated that! We once left her with our neighbor and her two cats for a weekend. When we returned, Sprout was laying on her back and both cats were preening her belly...She was a lover of all non-dog animals!

Sprout only liked three other dogs: Gus, Scotty and Rukkus. Our next door neighbor recently got 2 Golden Retriever puppies that she Hated! I swear, if she had any teeth left, their dogs wouldn't have faces. She bit them every chance she got, cranky old girl!

We got her when we lived in a little condo. She loved laying in the sun, must have been the arthritis. She scratched a huge hole in the screen to our tiny balcony and would lay out there for hours. One day I came home from work to find Sprout asleep on the couch and a fat, gray pigeon at her food bowl in the kitchen. I sort of freaked which woke Sprout up. The pigeon hopped to the door, through the screen and flew away. Sprout was amazingly comfortable with the whole situation leading me to believe that bird had done this before!

Once we left her with my Mother-in-law while Dave and I left town. She forgot her name and called her Snuffalufagus for a week. Poor Sprout didn't answer to HER name for weeks! For some reason No One could remember her name!

Some of my favorite screw ups were...
Spit
Scout
Sprite
Squid
Squirt
Condo

Also, everyone thought She was a boy...even the vet today. I guess Sprout isn't the most feminine name, that - and - all dogs are boys and all cats are girls.


Anyway, I could have never asked for a better pet! She was so gentle with all children, so good to me and our family. She went so peacefully, for that I am thankful. I know that her heaven is comfy, really warm and full of waffles. I know that Gus was waiting for her and since turkey was his favorite, I'm sure there are mountains of that on the island as well.

I love you Sprout! I will miss your cold little nose on the back of my leg, constantly needing to step over you (did I mention that she was blind as a bat?) and the way you were always on my lap or any lap you could find! I'm so glad to know you are at peace! Tell Gus 'Hi' from me!

27 comments:

Lisa Cannon said...

Poor little Sprout. At least she is out of her misery and running aroung with Gus Gus. Did she pass away at home or did you take her in to the vet? Are you going to get a new dog? I know of some puppy yellow labs that will be ready in about two weeks!!! They're really cute!

Lisa Cannon said...

I just read it again, nevermind, I know you put her down. Hope you guys are doing alright!

Debbie said...

I cried when I read that. We will all miss Sproutie! She was a good old grand-dog.

Heidi said...

I remember when you got Sprout! I'm so sad!!!

Glad she's in a place, but it's so hard to loose a member of the family. :(

(((hugs)))

Heidi said...

and that's supposed to say "better Place"... angry kid on my lap... :S

Tiffany said...

Rest in peace, Sprout. Warm hugs to you and your kids. :)

Holly O. said...

Little Sprout, you will be missed!

Mindi said...

isn't it funny how pets can totally tug at our heartstrings and become part of the family? we had a bird named nipper for 10 years and when we buried him my whole family (incl. dad and brothers) were bawling like babies. he sounds like he was loved--so long, sprout--may you have lots and lots of turkey!

tiburon said...

Sprout looks a lot like my childhood dog, Maggie. I am sorry she is gone :(

kami @ nobiggie.net said...

I cried too. I feel sad tonight. Avery cried yesterday when I told her. She felt sad for Tag and Thatch. I mostly feel sad for you, missing the little shadow that follows you around when you have a dog. I love dogs.

We will miss you Sprouty, all of us (Rukkus too)!

Kyle said...

Sprout, Sprout, let it all out. These are the things I can do without. So come on. I'm talkin' to you. Come on.

- Sprout's Anthem

(I will never be able to hear Tears for Fears w/o thinking of Sprout).

The Dows - Party of Five said...

Oh Beck, that is so very hard to do. There is nothing like a dog. They are so loyal, quirky and genuine (who else gets up to greet you everytime you come in the door - especially with arthritis). I still miss Kyle and Sophie so much. That's the tough thing about pets - we outlive them. And, deciding when it's time to put them out of their suffering is a blessing and a curse (it's such a big responsibility). Sprout was lucky to be with you, Dave and your cute kids all those years and you guys were lucky to love her. I can almost smell the waffles.

Anonymous said...

I love that Sprouts favorite food is waffles. I know all dogs go to heaven.

carly k said...

That makes me so sad...I know when my doggie dies I will be heartbroken. Sounds like she really loved you and your family just as much as you loved her. What a blessing to have had her in your life.

rachel said...

I am so sorry you all had to go through that...I love your great tribute to her though; can't wait to see ya on Wednesday xoxo

amanda said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Sprout. It's hard to say bye to a pet. And I loved Gus so hopefully they are there together. I didn't know you had a dog for that long. Wow that's a long time:( I'm sorry:(

Kristine Tanner said...

Hi Becky! Thanks for your comment on my blog. That's so fun to hear from you and to see your blog. Your kids are so cute!

We are still living near your parents. What a sweet mom you have!

Hope to hear from you again.

Pedaling said...

i love dogs. I hope you are all doing ok. i am not looking forward to going through that someday with our 11 year old abby.

Andrea W. said...

I'm sorry you lost your dog, she's really cute.

julib said...

Wow. I think you have a lot of friends! That is a great blessing especially at time like this. Losing your pet is traumatic. Hang in there!

Morgan Memories said...

Sprout! Such a great dog. My kids will miss her too. I told them and the first thing they did is name all the people they knew who had died that were waiting to meet her. "She will have blast". We will miss her!

I couldn't stop laughing after Kyle's comment. I will never hear that song without thinking of Sprout!

Pedaling said...

sure i'll compare notes with you on the diet thingy-we can see who can hang in there the best, day by day!

Michele Michaels said...

Becky,

I am so proud of you. I know what a terribly difficult decision this was for you but I also know it was best for sprout. You are such a gentle, sweet loving doggy mama. If you need anything please don't hesitate to call. My thoughts are defintely with you ~hugs Michele

Lane said...

We also are dog lovers, it is so hard when they go. But they are so worth it!

ps. Love the title of this post!

tiburon said...

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I know this really isn't the post to wish it on. But I wanted to get it out there.
:)

Pedaling said...

I hear it's your birthday- we should be meeting for lunch sometime, in celebration, my treat!- i hope you have a great day!

Beach Girl said...

Happy Birthday Becky!