Saying Goodbye

This past December we said goodbye to our sweet dog Penton.  She was 13 years old with dementia, most likely cancer because she lost 8 pounds after weighing 50 lbs for her entire life, arthritis in her hips and had a bladder infection of some type.  She was in bad shape.  

Andy and I adopted Penton when we lived in Albany, NY.  We had her for 13 years out of the 17 we've been married.  She was a huge part of our lives.  We did so much with her.  I use to take her out with my 4 wheeler because she loved running with me while I rode.  We use to take her hiking with us and she loved it!  I also would take her to the local playground so she could do the slides.  She could climb right up one of those straight ladders on the old metal slides and then run down the slide and repeat it over and over again.  She was a loyal dog.  She warned anyone who came to the door that this was her family and her house and anyone she didn't know should be scared of her bark!  

She was so sweet with the kids too.  She tolerated all of Kendall's abuse, and Lord knows there was a lot from Sis!

This is how Sis and I feel about Penton - she was best friends to both of us

Drinking pool water was a favorite way to cool off!

Dogs make a great back rest!

Or a good pillow

One day in Jax, I spilled some formula on the kitchen floor.  Penton thought it was an invitation to try some!

Best buddies

Nap time!

Penton just wanted to be left alone...

Play time!

Snuggle time!

Enjoying the sun

Her favorite time of year was winter.  She'd bark to go out and roll around in the snow.  She couldn't get enough of it!  When we lived in NY, she'd go outside then bark for us to come out and play with her.  When we lived in PA, the neighbor girl would come over and knock on the door and ask if Penton could come out and play in the snow with her!

More snuggle time.  

Penton was Sissy's favorite pillow.

Who knew this could be so much fun?

This is Penton just a few days before we had to put her down.  

Kendall received a gift card for Christmas to Build A Bear.  She took one look at the German Shepherd and decided she needed to have her own Penton.  She told me that even though our Penton was in Heaven, she could still pet this one and pretend it was her.

Penton really was an awesome dog.  Everyone use to tell us that they'd be happy to take her if our situation would ever prevent us from keeping her.  She was so intelligent and had quite the personality. She is missed every day by us.  I don't miss the constant tumbleweeds of hair, but I'd take that to have her back.  I'm hoping once we move and get settled in Jax we can consider getting another dog.  No dog could ever replace her, but it would be nice to have another furry in the home.