Remembering Friday

 14 years ago, we went to PAWS in Chicago. Mark and I wanted a dog, and it had to be the right dog(of course everyone says that). We walked around and saw many deserving dogs. Mark in particular found a dog he really wanted. We were told though, this dog had emotional problems, and may be too difficult for us. 

We looked some more, and then I saw a Lab/Doberman mix, female, 6 months old. We were told her name was Friday, and they found her wandering around the city. I don't know what she endured as a lost puppy, but she looked sweet and came up to me and licked my hand. This was our dog. 

PAWS was about to close, so they asked us to come in first thing and fill out the paper work. We did just that. The next day we told them which dog we wanted, and they told us two women were in the room with Friday, also wanting her. I explained why we hadn't adopted her the night before, and the volunteer went in and explained - Friday was coming home with us. 

As long as I live, I will never have as kind and sweet a girl as Friday. She was playful, caring, and above all sweet. When she came home with us, she didn't know the adventure she would go on. She lived in Chicago, Indiana, North Carolina, Oregon and Rhode Island. 

She loved winter and playing in the snow. She loved playing fetch. She loved the ocean and playing in the water. As she got older, she loved sitting with me on the porch. She loved just being out in the world. 

Friday was fiercely loyal. When I had my heart attack in 2014, she sat between my legs with me as I waited for paramedics to arrive. When they did, she growled at them, as if she were afraid they were going to hurt me. We gently told her to go and let the people take me to the hospital . 

Friday had her own hardships. Twice she was on the receiving end of some rough dogs attacking her. In one case, she lost a good many teeth and needed surgery. To this day I am do grateful to all those who helped us pay that vet bill. 

In 2018 Baxter came into our lives. Because Friday was older, we wanted her to still be active and have a friend. Baxter fit the bill. He was very playful with her, and a bit jealous of the attention she would get. Still she enjoyed having a brother. 

In the end, Friday had liver cancer. Having lost my mom to liver cancer, I knew we needed to let her go. Mark and I were with her as she passed. In the last few moments, we hugged and kissed her, and told to make sure she said hello to past doggie friends: Gus, Fred, Max and Gooey. Mark sat with her and held her as she went. As I write this, I am tears as I miss her so. I know though she was no longer in pain, and she always knew she was loved. 

There will never be another sweet girl like my girl Friday! Hope she is playing with some fun friends in doggie heaven.