With a very heavy heart, I write this blog to commemorate a founding member of Team Dirty, Stu. We said goodbye to Stu this morning after 15.5 wonderful years. This may sound strange, but Stu had a presence that cannot be explained. He could take even the most ardent "non-dog" person and turn them into an avid pet admirer. I have to admit that when I met Stu, I was that person. I would tolerate him because he was my new boyfriend's dog (the things we do for love). But, that new boyfriend kept popping off to Antarctica for months at a time and it was Stu who became my steadfast companion. He went Christmas shopping with me, always ready to take shotgun. He kept me safe from all the roving bunnies of our St. Louis neighborhood, albeit at the cost of my rotator cuff. We worked on the "No Bunny" command - but it never did seem to stick. He escorted me to every party I was invited to, and always stayed by my side.
He won the hearts of so many people through the years. Do you remember the "Stu Lean?" You know how he would find the nearest person and lean into their legs just to feel close. That's all he ever wanted, just to feel close to you. It's amazing how many pictures we have of Stu on laps, in bed or just plain on top of people.
Stu had so many great qualities that gave him such an endearing personality. First, he was so smart. Did you know that he taught a Great Dane how to take down a full size cow?! Next, he was so gentle. Did you know he would let a 10 pound cat win in a wrestling match?! He was so energetic. Did you know he was partly responsible for destroying a full size couch - in a single afternoon. But most of all, he was so devoted. When the babies came, he would always find a way to sleep near them - we often had to kick him out of the nursery.
And who could forget, he was the "Best Man" at our wedding!
We remember all the wonderful times with Stu, we are grateful for every minute of them, and most of all we are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to love and be loved back by such a wonderful creature. But, for now, there is a huge void in our home and in our hearts. We miss you Stu.
3 comments:
Super super sad.. :(
Sweet epitaph.
A nice tribute to a wonderful dog. I'm going to miss the Stu-lean.
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