Puck

Goodbye, good boy.

He was nine years of joy, companionship, barks, walks, and love.

He wagged us in the door, and wouldn't let us kiss without interposing himself between us, and if we were too quick for that, he'd bark until we'd stop. His muzzle or body pressed to your thigh or legs was his hug. He'd 'set a spell' at the top of the stairs every morning with me before bounding down for the early morning walk, followed by the late morning walk, which was followed by the 4:00 pm walk.

He slept on the green chair in the living room, and for a time on the couch there too. Under the piano, under the box we call a coffee table, and on our bed. In the leather chair upstairs. Under Linda's desk. In the laundry room when there was thunder. Under the dining room table, from which he could supervise the front door.

He was the best nap partner ever.

Our miles together everywhere, his patience in the Suburban for James' hockey games, his joy when James returned home from college and beyond; all are fresh and lasting memories.

His health faltered and his body failed him, but his spirit never wavered. He went so gently, so calmly, so peacefully...

Not a boat fan, not a swim fan, but a treat ho of the first order. A staunch guardian of the homestead. Well-known for his fetch refusal... "you want me to what?"

But he had a vocabulary well beyond any dog we've had. Super-smart. Einstein, according to Dr. Thimmig, DVM.

The care team at the MSU Vet Clinic was phenomenal. We knew they felt close to him early on, and they helped him find comfort even as his disease progressed, and guided us with empathy and professionalism. We are so grateful for Dr. Stacey Wylie, Julei Pfeifer, and Dr. Kaitlin Lonc, and everyone in the ER ICU, and the internal medicine team...

Our bond with Puck was deep, and strong. Our affair turned into a deep and lasting love. Our rhythms and habits and quirks and idiosyncrasies meshed, and our family was complete with his presence.

He walked to the light, and barked back at all who dared bark at him, protecting us and guarding us against any threat, however slight it might be, and will forever more.

We miss you, good friend.

Good boy. Such a good boy.