On December 12, 2012 I wrote a blog post titled “A Girl’s Best Friend.” At the time, my dog was fighting a battle against skin cancer. Originally, the vet thought that he just had a skin infection that was curable. I wish it had turned out that way. I spent so much time praying that Scooter would get better. I couldn’t imagine life without a dog. Scooter was the greatest dog and best friend that I have ever had. I am so grateful that I got to spend 12 plus years with my adorable puppy.

February 25, 2013 was the day that we took Scooter to the vet to get put to sleep. I couldn’t even get myself to go with him. My mom and sister took him while I stayed at home with my dad. I knew that I wouldn’t have been able to let the vet near him.

It’s been a whole year since that terrible day. I have finally been able to forgive myself for not being with him during his last moments on Earth. Saying goodbye to my baby was the hardest thing that I have ever had to do. But I am relieved to know that he isn’t suffering anymore and that he is looking down at me.

I would like to dedicate this post to the dog that was there for me through everything. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Scooter and miss him. I still can’t talk about him without getting a knot in my chest and this post took me forever to write because I couldn’t stop crying.

Below is a copy of my original blog

“When I was in kindergarten my dog, George, died.  I was devastated because he had been with me since I was born.  A couple months later my parents took us to look at puppies.  This guy my dad worked with raised cocker spaniels.  I fell in love with the black one because she reminded me of George who was a black lab.  My sister liked a small brown and white dog and my parents agreed with her.

That very night we brought the small puppy home.  I remember riding all the way home with the ball of fur in my arms.  I was so excited!  We had a hard time picking a name for him.  Some of the ones we thought of were Snowball, Fluffy, Marshmallow, etc.  In the end we went with Scooter because he scooted on his butt around the yard.

Scooter has always been a great dog.  I used to push him around in my doll stroller and drive him around the neighborhood in my Barbie Jeep.  He would never complain because he just loved spending quality time with me.  As I got older I spent more and more time away from home.  But Scooter didn’t care that I left him.  He still hopped in my bed every night to sleep by my feet.  I always felt safe because he was there protecting me.

Throughout the years I have always been able to depend on the comfort of my fluffy dog.  He’s always had health problems though.  When I was 12 he got cancer for the first time.  My mom drove him all the way up to MSU to have treatment and he was cancer free for five more years.  Now his cancer is back and he is too old to have any more treatment.  Scooter has fought long and hard but I know he won’t make it much longer.  I don’t want to be selfish and make him suffer but I can’t stand the thought of losing him.

So for now I will cherish my time with the best dog in the world.  Scooter will always hold a huge place in my heart.  I will never forget all of the times we spent together and all the comfort that he has brought me.  I am so grateful to have him in my life.”

Rest in peace, Scooter. March 15, 2001-February 25, 2013.