We lost our beloved dog Casey yesterday.
Even though she was 15 1/2 years old (how lucky were we?) and frail, it doesn’t make it any easier to accept that she is now gone. The void left behind hurts like hell and the entire family is officially out of tears. I will never forget the kids saying their final goodbyes to Casey and how a  whirlwind of old memories flashed by in an instant and punched us in the gut.
Seeing crumbs on the floor now hurts. We never had to worry about them before.
I struggle looking at the peanut butter jar. That is what we used to get Casey to take her medications over the years.
Twice I have moved to refill her water bowl.
I will forever think I hear her paws on the hardwood floor in the early morning.
But I don’t want to this post to be a downer; ha, too late. But seriously, we’ve had enough of that for now. Our therapy over the past 48 hours has been about reminiscing and laughing at all the memories Casey has provided since 1999.
We watched old videos to remember when she was young and spry. That felt good. She also clearly invented the idea of “photo bombing”, as she is literally in almost every home video.
We took out the old photographs (no digital for us in those early years) of when she was just a pup. We shared stories with the kids of Casey before they were born or just too young to remember.
So selfishly, the following pics and commentary are additional therapy for us and an homage to the greatest dog we’ve ever known. As I write this, I hope she is curled up on a couch made of bacon and is chewing away.
Here we go.
We picked Casey out of her litter solely based on the fact that she ran under a nearby car away from her siblings. She had a naughty streak we immediately took a  liking to.
The first night she was home with us, she pooped in her cage and rolled in it. Good times. We had to give her a bath 2:30 in the morning. Game on. This dog thing wasn’t going to be easy.
Casey literally never sat still that first year and wiped us the f out. Great, great practice for having children.
Casey was there while we tackled projects in our first home. On this day below, she and her uncle managed to get loose and I ended up picking thorns out of her eyelids.
A few things here. Casey loved car rides and I still hadn’t learned my lesson to not put my wallet on top of the car.
When I say she was our first baby, I am clearly not exaggerating.
She wasn’t cared for or loved at all.
The entire street would smile as they walked by the house and saw her welcoming mug.
Trips to the family lake house were not only enjoyed by the “humans”.
She ALWAYS managed to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Casey never took to any toys other than a football. One of our most distinct memories is of Casey munching on said football as she hung with the family.
But if I had to come up with one lasting image of our beautiful girl, it is of her laying her mouth on our laps while we ate breakfast, lunch or dinner. The girl adored food.
Maybe we tortured her without her knowing once in a while.
Even up until her last day when she was ready to leave us and cross over that rainbow bridge in the sky, she looked like that cute puppy.
There will never be another dog like you Casey and we all want to thank you for the impact you have made on all of our lives. We love you and will never forget you. I would kill to give you one last pizza crust and watch you crunch the hell out of it.
I’m so sorry.
God bless you and your family.
Thank you anonymous. Ha.
What a beautiful tributthido Casey. I know how painful this is to lose a beloved pet who has been part of our lives and family. One of my sons had to go through the painful process of having to put his Chocolate Lab, Buddy to sleep earlier this year and he was also a beloved part of my grandchildren ‘s lives and the first pet my daughter -in-law had, had. It was very difficult and like you, they have many special memories of Buddy. From his habit of chowing down on anything, to getting sprayed by a skunk, camping trips and swimming in the ocean. I would love to have my son, Ryan read your touching words of love for Casey, because I know they would echo his feelings for the loss of Buddy.
Lorraine – thank you for the kind words! You captured the essence of a lab perfectly. All the best to your son Ryan.
I am so so sorry. That picture of her in between your kids says it all, she was loved.
Loree – we are so thankful that we took that last pic for that exact reason. Thank you for the comment!
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I recall earlier posts about Casey – your love for her was very clear to me, even in a blog post. I wish there was something I could say to offer comfort to you and your family but I know from experience that this kind of loss is very personal and we each adjust in our own way and at our own speed. Every one of the furry companions in my past occupies a unique space in my heart, as does the one who currently drives me crazy at intervals in the present. I have no doubt that Casey knew she was loved every minute of her life with your family – and that she still does.
Kris – thank you so much for the kind words. We are all handling it differently but we are all united in our wonderful memories.
So sorry for your loss. She was beautiful, and you showed how beautiful she was in your tribute. She will ALWAYS be in your hearts!!
Wendy – thank you and she has occupied a major part of all of our hearts.
I am so, so, sorry. They really do take a piece of your heart with them.
Thank you Amber.
So very, very sorry John and family. I’m glad you all know that it is perfectly normal to cry (literally) buckets worth of tears…a great dog deserves no less. My husband and I still do a combination of welling up and laughing (the resulting face such action produces is not always attractive to outsiders) when we think about our first four legged love of our lives. She was the bestest of the best for us as your Casey was for you. Her replacement has been with us for 6 years and we love her and are happy she is part of our lives but, oh, that first one…the best of the best. My sincerest condolences. Michaele
Thank you Michaele. We made those exact faces and jumped from tears to laughter non stop. I’m sure we’ll get another pup in the future, but nothing will compare.
I Am SO sorry, too.. Do thank you for sharing some of your precious memory photos. They are priceless, as will be your old
videos to capture sweet memories to hold in your hearts always.
Sending warm thoughts to you and family,
Deborah
Thanks Deborah! We have laughed, smiled and cried at all of the old videos/pics and I am forever grateful for that.
Oh gosh, I’m sorry about your loss. She was definitely a part of your family. She was blessed to be with you, and you were blessed to have her in your life.
Thank you Beth. You nailed it, we were blessed like I never could have imagined.
She was beautiful and it’s clear that she was really a beloved member of the family. I’m so sorry for your loss. The pet that helps you define yourself and your family really does live in your heart forever. You may find you will well up with tears years from now at a sweet memory or sad moment. Go with it, and smile with gratitude for her.
Thanks Colleen! Those moments do continue to pop up and I truly cherish them, as sad as they may be right now.
I’m so sorry to hear about Casey. Fifteen plus years of so much love. Thank God.
Linda