Oh, for the love of a dog! So many say "oh, it's just a dog, get over it", but she was not just a dog, she was my black sister. We lost our dear sweet Winnie in August and the wounds are healing, but very slowly. Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. Winnie was priviledged. She never wanted for a thing for she had more than any dog could ever know to want. Multiple yum-yums (or YY's for short) a day, a toy basket and only the best chair in the house. As a puppy, she was spunky and playful. She helped mom with the newspaper every morning and was always doing yardwork with dad. Every so often, I got a phone call from Mom saying that my Black Sister wanted to talk to me and yes, sitting in front of everyone at work, I would talk to Winnie on the phone and yes, sometimes she would talk back. Embarassed, maybe at first, but I just think the ones that laughed were just jealous that their furbabies didn't call them during the day.As Winnie got older, she got wider and greyer but still ever so loving. Winnie's only drawback was her "gator" mouth! You didn't dare get your fingers near her big pearly whites when there was a YY or any type of food between them. Her "gator" mouth was only fitting, since she was a HUGE Florida Gator fan. She was always dressed in her gator attire, collar and bandana, as well as her gator leash. Sure makes a Sissy proud!
Winnie was well known throughout the Houston Woods subdivision. She wandered the streets visiting from house to house. We tried once to keep her in the yard, but the invisible fence had nothing on Miss Winnie. She would sit at the edge of the yard contemplating and building her courage up. Finally, one mad dash, a loud yelp and she was gone! Not once did she dash the invisible fence to come back home though. She always waited for someone to come take her collar off and let her in. She was pretty smart. I wish I could thank everyone in the neighborhood for being so kind to her and watching for her as they drove to and from their homes everyday. She wasn't the only dog that took "daily constitutionals" around the neighborhood, but I think she was the most regular.
Winnie had a best friend, Beau. Beau lives two doors down at the Williams' home. He came down everyday at the same time to play with Winnie. The would play in the yard, go for walks, and I would assume, just chit chat. Beau liked YY's too. He would wander in the house and out if the door was open, but was always polite. I think Winnie's death has been really tough for Beau. Talking to dad the other day, Beau still comes to the house regularly, but only on Sundays. He will come walking up on the back porch, still waiting on his YY and then lay down and rest. I'd like to think he lays there thinking of all the fun he had with our Winnie and how he misses her so much. We know how much he misses her, because we miss her too!
Mom and Dad's house will never be the same without Winnie. I really just cannot remember a time when she wasn't there. There is a definite void. It is a lot quieter and the presence of black hair everywhere is gone. There are no little toenails tapping on the hardwood floor or her ever so excited bark when she's standing at the pantry door waiting on a treat. She is missed greatly, but her memory will live on. In our hearts and in the hearts of those that has the pleasure of knowing and loving her too. I even think Elton, the bird, misses her, but he is a completely different post!
Thank you, Winnie, for the memories! We love you!
