Saying Goodbye

On October 5th our dog, Luca, passed away.  It wasn't a complete surprise, but happened a lot sooner than we anticipated.  I thought we had another year or two left together.  I was glad we were all together when he passed and it was quick so he didn't suffer.  We were there to comfort him and each other.  It was a rough night and we cried a lot.  Ava even slept in bed with us that night.

The next day and the following weeks have been hard to get use to life without Luca running around.  Our house is quieter, the kitchen floors dirtier, and we each miss his friendly greetings at the door.  The first day I came home to an empty house I cried.  I was so use to him greeting me with a happy wagging tail.  He always knew when I wasn't feeling well or sad and would snuggle with me on the couch.  He was a good buddy and got me through some difficult times.  Luca and the joy he brought to our home will be greatly missed.

THINGS I WILL MISS...
I will miss how gentle Luca was with Ava and how she played with him like a sibling.  I will miss him cleaning up the crumbs off the kitchen floor and always following me around while I cook.  I will miss taking Luca on family walks and watching him track animal scents.  I will miss him chasing squirrels in our backyard and keeping them out of my planters.  Even though it was annoying I will miss Luca eating up our garden.  He loved to eat the tomatoes, strawberries, and blackberries he could reach.  I will miss his soft fur and him sitting on my lap to keep me warm in the winter.  I will miss how he use to run around the house crazy after we gave him at bath...that always made us laugh.  I will miss how he made me smile and laugh.

Luca's favorite toy!

Luca use to love to play with a ball in the backyard.

Ava and Luca had a special relationship.  He was always protective of her and she loved him from the start.

Ava loved to feed Luca.  It started with his food and then she started sharing hers.

Luca loved to stick his head out the window and this picture always cracked us up.

Ava was sick this day and Luca stayed by her.

Luca LOVED french fries!

Luca was a great dog, so it will be sometime before I am ready for another one.  I am so grateful we got him from a wonderful rescue group, Second Change Cocker Spaniels.  When it is time for a new friend to join our home I will check with the rescue group again.  The lady that we got Luca from has recently started another group called, NorCal Cocker Rescue.  Click on their name to check out the website.