A TRIBUTE.
I've got a heavy heart today.
Yesterday, a dog that's been in my family for the last 13 years had to be put to sleep.
Tracker lived with my ex-wife and daughter. She was the most loyal dog I've ever known.
Tracker's life got off to a rough start, as she was abandoned near railroad tracks north of Seattle (hence the name.) We got her from PAWS in Seattle, an organization that rescues dogs. Tracker hung towards the back of her pen, letting the other dogs jump all over her. So we asked if we could look at her alone. Once we did, Tracker opened up - chasing a tennis ball all over her kennel.
Tracker chased that ball for 13 years. Every time I came over to the house, even after I'd moved away, Tracker would greet me by picking up the ball and gesturing for me to throw it.
While I'm sad today, I'm grateful that Tracker never really had a rough time. Yesterday sucked, but it was probably the only really rough day Tracker ever had. She lived a long, happy life for such a large dog. She avoided major illnesses that can befall pets. And she was always very, very happy.
And she made us happy as well.
We'll miss you, Track.
Good. Girl.