Friday, July 17, 2009

Thanks for the love, Rookie!


Today is a sad day around our house. Hubby was waiting outside for a golf buddy to pick him up this morning and called for our 10 year old German Shepherd, Rookie. When Rookie didn't come (Rookie *always* comes), he went looking for him. Last night, our sweet dog laid down to sleep and then crossed the rainbow bridge and went to Heaven.

Rookie was such a funny guy! We got him just a couple of months before we got married and he was such a cute puppy. He was all ears and feet and we would crack up watching him walk because he was always tripping over those huge paws. Watching him learn to perk up his ears in the traditional Shepherd fashion was just as funny. They never seemed to work right.

He was a frustrating dog, too! As a puppy and a young dog, he destroyed many a thing in our house. Two lemon trees (he chewed on the trunks), a set of patio cushions (the stuffing looked like snow in our yard), an air conditioner (yes, our air conditioner. After the second time of him killing the a/c in the summer, it got a nice picket fence around it), carpet, numerous toys and tennis balls and our house fell prey to his chompers. Wait, you say. The house? Yes, the house. He'd find a corner that looked tasty, lay down and chow down. We had to use stucco patch to fix the holes!

He was a non-stop bundle of energy. In the house, he'd follow you where ever you went. He just didn't lay down. You could throw a tennis ball for hours and he'd never grow tired of chasing it. He loved swimming in the ditch. He loved the girls. And, he was Hubby's dog. Not too long ago, he was in the house and the girls were napping. Hubby left to go run an errand, and Rookie laid down in front of the garage door - so close that if Hubby were to come back in, the door would hit him. Never mind where I went in the house that day, he didn't follow me. There in front of the door Rookie stayed until Hubby came home. He was waiting for him.

Hubby and I called him the "Bird Man". For some reason, birds and he got along. I'd look out the back window and he'd be laying in the grass, surrounded by birds. They'd be all around him hanging out, and a couple would even sit on him. I wish I had a picture of him with his birds.

He was a good, sweet dog who was so loyal and who loved us to death. All he wanted in return was a couple of scratches, a hand to throw a tennis ball and to be loved. And we did.

Rookie, you were a great friend. We're really going to miss you.

6 comments:

geek details said...

Awe :( I'm so sorry your puppy is gone. He looked like a lovely dog and you sound like you really enjoyed him.

Melanie said...

Oh, so sory about your little guy. He looks like he was really a beautiful dog in the photo. It sounds like you have 10 years of great (and a few naughty) memories to hold on to! Losing a pet just stinks... I know.

. said...

Oh man! I am sorry for your loss. He looked like a very cool dog. We get so attached to these guys that they are a part of our family.

Disneypal said...

I'm glad his passing was quiet and peaceful.

I'm sorry for you loss - he seems like a special dog. I know you will miss him.

Team Thompson said...

Thinking of you and the girls. Hope they are doing ok. Andrew says he is in heaven playing with his great-grandpa. :)

Andrea said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I cannot imagine losing one of my own pets, as they are family. Your Rookie is a beautiful dog. May he rest peacefully.

Stopping over from Friday's Gracious Giveaways and just had to comment at this post. Hugs to you!