THANK YOU /// We Miss You Bubby Dog

I just wanted to check in for a minute to thank you all so much for the kindness and love we've been receiving through your emails and comments on my post about the loss of our Bubby dog.  It is helping us heal to read your words and learn just how many people around the world were affected by Bubby. 

Leary (Bubby's real name) was more than just a dog.  He was the sweetest, most compassionate living being I'd ever encountered.  He was the love of my life. Without him, our hearts ache and our home feels empty. For almost 16 years, I spent all day, everyday with Leary.  He worked with me, ran errands with me, traveled the country with me, slept beside me.  He swam in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans with me.  He visited almost every major city.  He hiked through Yellowstone, pranced through the ferns beneath giant Redwoods, and explored the Rocky Mountains.  He lived in 7 different states with me.  He kissed my face when I cried, and wagged his tail at full speed when I laughed.  When he received presents on his birthday and Christmas, he knew how to unwrap them himself and would spend hours playing with his toys, always so grateful.  He was my inspiration for nearly everything I did. When we were apart, I couldn't wait to get back home to him. I thought of him and his welfare before every single decision I ever made.  Bubby wasn't a dog to me. Or to Robbie. Throughout our lives, we've both had lots of dogs, and we've both lost lots of dogs.  And each one was very painful. This is so much different though. Leary was our child. There is no comparison for us. Through our grief, we have hope that a day will come soon when we can revel in the happiness he brought us rather than feeling weighted by the sadness of a very new life without him by our sides.

Leary lived an amazing life.  Over the years, I've joked about writing a book about him.  Maybe now I really will.  From the day I rescued him from under a dark trailer in Colorado (minutes before being dumped at the shelter), to his countless adventures around the country and beyond, to his perseverance to defy all odds and baffle vets with his will to overcome the greatest physical obstacles, he was a miracle in every way.  I have so many inspiring stories from his life to share with you as soon as I'm able. 

In the meantime, I am incredibly grateful for your support and compassion, as well as your patience with the Bubby and Bean blog.  With my birthday and the New Year arriving on Sunday, I'm hoping that I'll be able to get back to regular posting.  The Happy Holidays Giveaway winner will still be posted some time this week, as will another amazing giveaway from our December Featured Sponsor.

I hope you had a magical holiday.