Dog Gone

Hercules has been sick off and on this year since Feb. Once to the point we were going to ‘leave him in Tx’ in March. This last week, he got bad again and when we took him to the vet yesterday she agreed that it was time. So we say farewell to a great dog.

My contribution is a collection of ‘highlight’ photos from his life. He is to be found in almost any picture taken in our living room or at the park, but these are the best. Click to see. You can also search for “hercules” in our photo album, it find 251 images and those are just the ones where I labeled him.

I’m not sure if the kids really get it. Benjamin says “Hercules is staying at the doctor’s.” We got a paw print impression from the vet as a keepsake. He will be missed!

Nate’s contribution is a poem:

Ode to Hercules

Hercules, you were the best dog that ever was.
From the moment we met you, we knew you were the dog for us.
Calm and loving. Fun but well mannered.
You had more grace and patience built into you than most people ever acheive
Protecting, adoring, you were a good companion to us and our kids,
and attentive to every sound that approached our house.
Fierce guardian, first with your sub vocal gruff, then your impressive bark.

You were the perfect dog, its hard to imagine any other to compare.
Handsome and noble, muscular and shining.
You were only limited by the time and attention we gave you.
You learned so quickly the tricks we taught you, yet we did not challenge you to learn more.
You were hungry for every moment of affection we gave you, but you never begged.
You made do with whatever circumstances were given to you, and took them with a smile.

I’m sorry I didn’t spend more time with you hercules.
I cherished our time on runs and walks, they were as much for me as they were for you.
I’m sorry we didn’t do more of the things you wanted to do,
though it would have helped if you would have brought the ball back to me instead of wanting to eat it.

Laser lights, chasing Gandalf, bolting through the doggie door in the middle of the night to chase away sounds that we could not hear.
These were your favorite things.
And they were our favorite things too.

Thanks for all the road-trips you made with us.
Thanks for taking good care of our kids.
Thanks for being the best dog ever.

Love you buddy,
Nate