Goodbye Old Friend

I think this has to be the hardest post I have put on my blog so far and I'm not sure if it will do justice to Cinder and her life. After almost 11 years our good friend and companion, Cinder passed away. Ever since Friday we could tell she wasn't doing well and it didn't take long for her to go down hill. I just wish we would have known on Friday so we could have helped her a long the way and not have to have her experience any discomfort. On Sunday I called a local vet to set up arrangements to bring her in on Monday morning to put her down. I HATED the fact that I was making a life choice for another living creature and just prayed that she would be taken when she needed to be. On Monday morning Matt took her outside (he had had to start carrying her outside because she was having such a hard time getting up and walking) and after he brought her in she took a few last breaths and she was gone. I'm glad we all got a chance to say goodbye to her that morning and I'm glad she could go under the most comfortable circumstances (being in her own home around her family). Matt and I were able to be there when she went and it was a very emotional time for us. She was our first baby. We got her right after we were married and so we've hardly known life without Cinder. We could tell our own "Marley and Me" adventures with Cinder. There were so many times that I got so angry at her for chewing up things and destroying things but we stuck it through and came out ahead with a good dog. Cinder destroyed so many things when she was a puppy. She chewed up a whole bottle of Advil, chewed up the handle of a very large knife, chewed up power chords, chewed up most of my journals (that was a tough one), gave one of our good friends a black eye, tore a tree out of the ground (running away from fireworks). She also had her fine points too. She loved orange slushies, frosty paws, her stuffed dog we called "boyfriend", her dog friends that we called "romeo" and "boyfriend" (the would always come to our windows when Cinder was in heat), she chased away cats (even got one run over when she tried to chase it across our street), killed mice, spider, and lizards but wouldn't come close to the roaches in FL (I don't blame her). Cinder LOVED to ride in the car. I don't think there was anything she loved more (maybe chasing squirrels) than taking a long ride in a car; and I mean long. She drove from NC to FL with Matt and did so well. She also drove from FL to UT with Matt in the moving truck when we moved to UT and she was so good the whole way. Every year on her birthday (or as close as we could come) we would take her to McDonald's and get her a hamburger happy meal. Cinder was so protective of me at all times. She was part chow and part lab and they say that chows have one particular person that they will stick with and defend while labs are happy-go-lucky. We always said she had her Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personalities because of her two breeds. Sometimes she was the happy, playful lab and sometimes she was that defensive, ornery chow. When I was sick or sad she was always right by my side. When I was pregnant with Haleigh she would not leave my side. She slept right by my side of the bed and right on the bed next to me if Matt wasn't home. After Haleigh came, Cinder had found a new person to protect. Haleigh and Cinder always had a special connection and could communicate in such cute ways. Cinder was so gentle with Haleigh (which we had never seen) and was always by her side. Haleigh will certainly miss her "Cieooooo". Part of me feels a little guilty because once we had children Cinder didn't get all the "perks" she was used to. We just didn't turn out to be as good of dog parents as we had once been. Hopefully she always knew that we loved her even if she didn't get to go in the car as often or take walks to the dog park.
We will miss you Cinder, a.k.a. Chachki Moobarkinstein, Poochie Moo Moo, Cinder Poo Poo Head, Cinder Pinder Puddin' and Pie, and Cinder P. Hound dog. You will always be with us in our hearts and in the memories we keep alive. Now we'll just have to settle for a doggie guardian angel. We know you are finally chasing all those cats (especially Walter) and squirrels in heaven and I'm hoping you don't have to worry about roaches because I can't imagine those would be heavenly creatures.....who knows! Maybe they do have a higher purpose. We will never forget you and we will love you always.

I've included some of my favorite photos of Cinder. I don't have any puppy ones because I have to scan those in (and actually find them) but I'm sure when I find them I'll have a seperate puppy post. The photo at the top of my blog is one of my favorites and plainly show the love that Cinder and Haleigh shared.

Cinder and Haleigh looking out the window. Something they LOVED to do together.

Cinder loved Daddy too!

Again, looking out the window and waiting for Daddy to come home from work.

One of my very favorites. Best friends.

Watching for Daddy

I think I used this on our Valentines cards we sent out.

Walking on Christmas Day at crecent lake and the dog park.

Giving kisses.

Cinder loved Haleigh and they were always exchanging kisses.