Monday night, as I lay in the bed, I prayed. “Lord, I need a serious wake up call.”
Newton’s second law of motion states:
To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In other words…
What goes up, must come down
And…
With life, comes death.
5:03 Tuesday morning: I practically push Craig out of bed as I hear one of the dogs yelp. I figured they were “arguing”, or having a run in with my mom’s new puppy. To my unpleasant surprise, Craig laid Vader’s body on the bed. He lay there convulsing as his tongue hung from his mouth and stomach acid foamed from his mouth. I was horrified. He convulsed in my arms for 2 hours until we could get him to the vet for medical attention. His temperature was 106, and well into brain damage range. He fought for over 3 hours, but lost his battle shortly after 8:00 a.m.
What a wake up call.
Some say dogs don’t have souls. I say they couldn’t be farther from the truth. Vader, 3 ½ pounds, was our son – best friend – angel. One of my favorite scriptures: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for some have entertained angels – unawares.
Hebrews 13:1-2
We picked Vader’s body up from the Vet in Craig’s 2003 10th anniversary cobra, because it’s what he would have wanted. We buried him with heavy hearts, and many tears.
Things I want to remember about Vader:
-The day I went to pick a puppy from the breeder I saw him slipping through the fence holes – my heart was set on him.
-He sat in that silly basket with a bow around his neck until I could surprise Craig with him for Valentine’s Day.
-His first day home he fell asleep under Lynn's Hat.
-He loved Annabelle from day one, and he never gave up on her.
-He truly smiled at you.
-His ‘fast’ moments of racing through the house.
-He loved Snoopy, and even when he passed away and was replaced by penny – he still thought it was Snoopy.
-He loved car rides.
-3 ½ pounds of muscle, he’d challenge any pit-bull, Doberman, or Rottweiler at the vets office.
-He once got a McDonald’s French frie bag stuck on his head.
-His ‘fast’ moments of racing through the house.
-He loved Snoopy, and even when he passed away and was replaced by penny – he still thought it was Snoopy.
-He loved car rides.
-3 ½ pounds of muscle, he’d challenge any pit-bull, Doberman, or Rottweiler at the vets office.
-He once got a McDonald’s French frie bag stuck on his head.
-He also once had a walmart bag secured around his neck like a superman cape.
-The day he “flew” across the couches at my in-law’s ( a 4 foot jump).
-The way he’d snick outside without you knowing he was right behind you.
-He listened so well, and was so smart.
-He knew these words: outside, treat, get in your house, let’s go to bed, and where’s Annabelle?
-He is the most loyal dog I’ve ever owned.
-If he wanted you to hold him or put him up on the couch he’d let you put one hand under his belly while he wrapped his two front feed around it to get a lift.
-When I was pregnant with Hayden…he laid by my belly instead of my feet…even before it was big. – He just knew.
-He always licked Hayden’s hand when he stuck it out, and even when Hayden would grab a hold of his ear’s he’d just yelp…nothing more. He knew he didn’t mean it.
-The way he’d snick outside without you knowing he was right behind you.
-He listened so well, and was so smart.
-He knew these words: outside, treat, get in your house, let’s go to bed, and where’s Annabelle?
-He is the most loyal dog I’ve ever owned.
-If he wanted you to hold him or put him up on the couch he’d let you put one hand under his belly while he wrapped his two front feed around it to get a lift.
-When I was pregnant with Hayden…he laid by my belly instead of my feet…even before it was big. – He just knew.
-He always licked Hayden’s hand when he stuck it out, and even when Hayden would grab a hold of his ear’s he’d just yelp…nothing more. He knew he didn’t mean it.
-His breathe always smelled of poop – because he literally ate it – gross I know, but that was him.
-When he’d go outside, he’d hurry up and pee – then bark to be let in the house – he knew a treat was on his way. When I’d give him one, he’d eat it, then when Annabelle finally made her way back inside, he’d expect another one.
-One night, he woke me up in the middle of the night by licking my face. I finally got up and realized he had no water. When I filled his bowl he lapped it up.
-First thing in the morning he’d stare at you as if saying, “Can I go outside now?”
-When sad and crying, he’d lick your tears before they even had a chance to fall from your cheek.
-One day he jumped into the bathtub, for no reason at all, as if he actually wanted a bath.
-After a bath he loved being dried off in a towel. He loved that 10 minute rub down, and would even come back for more after you let him go.
-He stood up to any dog messing with Annabelle; he was her protector, best friend, and love.
-When he’d go outside, he’d hurry up and pee – then bark to be let in the house – he knew a treat was on his way. When I’d give him one, he’d eat it, then when Annabelle finally made her way back inside, he’d expect another one.
-One night, he woke me up in the middle of the night by licking my face. I finally got up and realized he had no water. When I filled his bowl he lapped it up.
-First thing in the morning he’d stare at you as if saying, “Can I go outside now?”
-When sad and crying, he’d lick your tears before they even had a chance to fall from your cheek.
-One day he jumped into the bathtub, for no reason at all, as if he actually wanted a bath.
-After a bath he loved being dried off in a towel. He loved that 10 minute rub down, and would even come back for more after you let him go.
-He stood up to any dog messing with Annabelle; he was her protector, best friend, and love.
-He loved sleeping in fresh-out-of-the-dryer clothes with Annabelle-He loved his family till the end.
These are just a few.....and I do mean few.
There aren't enough words in the English Dictionary to describe our Love for Vader Anakin Weems.
He'll always live on in our hearts.
