A Woman's Best Friend

We lost our Como dog today. We knew the time would be soon, but I was still unprepared to let him go so suddenly. Today he had one of his "episodes" but made a valiant effort to be in the loft near where we were working, lost control, and slipped away.

Como was about one year old when I adopted him from the Hennepin County Humane Society. He was a "three time loser." He'd been brought in as a puppy, adopted, returned, adopted, returned, and then I adopted him. They were required to tell me as I filled out the paperwork that other people had returned him because he required a lot of attention. I took one look at his good face and said "that's ok, I want him anyway." He promptly walked over and lifted his leg on the statue in the lobby as if to say "I'm outta here!"

Como when we first got him - a young male in a house of females - note the television remote nearby.  (Como was half Gordon Setter, half Springer Spaniel.)

In the first year we had him, he had moments of driving us absolutely crazy - he got into the trash, chewed up the porch furniture, and other behavior issues that came with not being in a forever home from a young age.  BUT - he also "rode shotgun" in the moving van with my Oldtimer when we went from Minneapolis to Warrenton, has been my faithful companion and protector when we lived apart those 17 months, and loved me unconditionally - as only a great dog can.  He kept Bekah company during her first pregnancy, acted as my pillow and confidant during the lonely times, and was the first participant in the early morning biscuit launch.

Como last summer, surrounded by the other boys and looking up at one of us - see the love?

My Oldtimer said it best.  There's a hole in our hearts today.  There's no replacement for the eagerness and love and enthusiasm that Como lavished on all of us.  It'll be sad around here for a while.