Good-bye, sweet Wally

Yesterday we had to say a hard good-bye, one that felt too soon and too sudden.

We had Wallace put to sleep yesterday morning after a large tumor was discovered on his liver that had likely metastasized from his spleen. It all happened so fast… It was just one week from the time we noticed anything was wrong. After a trip to the vet last weekend where nothing was found in blood work or X-rays we thought it was maybe just an injury from running, unfortunately this weekend it became clear that was not what we were dealing with. Dave and I both got to say good-bye and be with him when he passed… He went peacefully and with us whispering “I love you” in his ear; We wouldn’t have wanted it any other way…

Wallace

May 6, 2003 - October 17, 2010

Sweet Wally,
From the first night we brought you home, you were the best dog any family could ask for. We, and so many people, were touched by you; your compassion and perception of people’s emotions seemed human at times and had a way of healing.

My most favorite memories of you are hiking on trail behind our house, seeing you rest your head on Riley’s back, and any time you were in the water. Each of those times was you at your happiest and when you were happy, we couldn’t help but be happy.

Wally, we miss you more than words can express. There is a hole in our hearts that will never be filled, Little Boy.

We love you,
Mom, Dad, Beko and Riley

Beko and Doggies

Dogs are Beko's favorite thing right now. He started saying a muddled version of "doggie" about two weeks ago and it's the only word he says consistently and in the right context. He hugs Riley several times a day, and if Wallace would let him, he'd hug him too. Zoki, my mom's dog, is quickly becoming a fun playmate given Zoki weighs 5 pounds less than Bekila, it's a fair match. The other day when Dave took Beko with him to the pet store to pick up a new brush for the dogs, he couldn't stop saying "doggie" and pointing at the pictures of them all over the store.

Last night Beko discovered he could chase Zoki with his little scooter car and Zoki would try to bite the tires. You'll see, he thought it was pretty funny, as did we.



It's amazing to think how far we've come in just 4 months. The first night we come home with Bekila, he was terrified of the dogs, particularly Zoki. Now you can just see how much he loves them. Both Riley and Zoki reciprocate the feeling, but Wallace is still trying to figure out how he feels. As soon as Bekila is taller than him and more sturdy on his feet, I have a feeling he'll be in love too.



He as also discovered playing in the dogs' water dish when it's outside is a lot of fun too. On two separate occasions, he has spent 45 minutes on our porch playing in the water. I'm not sure if it provides more entertainment for him, or for us.

Wallace: Our Emotional Gauge

Wally, Walla, Little Man, Sweetie, Little Guy, Sweet Boy... officially known as Wallace.

This picture, that Dave took on our hike today, is Wallace at his happiest... true bliss comes to mind.

He's the youngest of our two fur children and the more emotional of the two as well. Since he was 7 weeks old, he's been incredibly sensitive and in-tune with his "humans" feelings. I'm sure to you non-dog people this sounds ridiculous, but I'm telling you; if one tear rolls down a cheek, a voice gets raised, or you even think about being upset in some way, shape, or form he is by your side, moaning and putting a paw on your leg.

The night I miscarried he laid in bed with me with his head on my stomach all night; I know he knew. Most recently he has been by my side as I stare at pictures of Little Bee with tears streaming down my face. He's always by our side and wants nothing more than to please us. He's our emotional gauge, if you will; always helps to release a little steam before the pressure becomes unbearable.

If he could talk I have not doubt he'd tell us he wants to be the center of our universe... The truth is, he and his "brother", Riley, have been for the last 7 years. We've planned vacations around them, made scrapbooks of them, let them sleep in our bed, and talked to them as if they understand.

In the past couple of weeks I think Wallace has figured out there is "something" that will soon enter this house that might change this. So far he doesn't seem to be too thrilled. Two weeks ago he ate the cover and first 27 pages of, "Raising Your Internationally Adopted Child". Two days after that he ate the cover off of "I'm Chocolate; You're Vanilla" and then two days after that he took a stocking cap we received for Little Bee out of Little Bee's room and pulled about 20 strands of yarn out of the tassel on top... Do you think he knows something is happening???

You may be thinking, "He's in for a rude awakening!" I'm sure part of this is true, but I also know Wally will quickly adapt and soon, if not immediately, after Little Bee comes home, he'll welcome the newest member of our family into the pack and become Little Bee's emotional gauge and protector as well.