it was a tough day on my little part of the world.
Grover was an amazing dog. Though, I didn't know it the 1st time I met him. He was a rescue doggie that came to by way of Community Concern for Animals out of Tampa. He needed a home I had a home. Jet, Ellie and I drove out to meet with the owner who had a dog that really needed a stable forever home. The day we met him he was outside on the driveway in a large round pen sleeping in the warm sun. Ellie and Jet stayed in the car while I went to meet him. He was drowsy and aloof neither interested nor disinterested and was as cute as the day is long.
We introduced him to Ellie and Jet about 15 minutes later and to my surprise there was little reaction on either side. They seem to be fine with each other, Little Ellie the most interested. Grover leaned up against my car tire while Jet and Ellie sniffed him out. It seemed that a happy family could be had with the three of them. We packed up the newest family member and headed home.
I'm not sure why he came into my life that day. I was not looking for another dog per se, and I don't really remember how the owner and I came into contact. But we did and looking back over the years I am ever grateful that we did.
Once home we got off to a rocky start. Grover passive and uninterested in us or much of anything other then keeping his distance. Grover came to us when he was 8 month old or so. He had been through 5 homes already and the wear and tear of this was easy to see by his distance. He didn't know how to interact with any of us. Kept his distance and was at best mildly interested. But I guess time paid off. Over the years he blossomed into an amazing dog. He had few issues, learned over time that it was ok to come and ask for love, enjoyed lizards, squirrels, and came to love Little Ellie. Jet and Grover tolerated each other and at times loved each other.
Grover had a silent way about him. He didn't ask for much but gave a ton in return. He loved to be outside, playing in the river, hiking, had a great re-call off leash and was a great dog to have around. A dogs dog. low maintenance, hardy, loving, sweet, funny, goofy, and so so lovable. He had this way of sitting on the couch like a person, leaning up against me that made me laugh every-time he did it. He loved to sleep under the bed, snuggle with me in bed on Sunday mornings. We'd lie there together in a pile of blankets me petting/scratching him, he pawing me when I stopped. I will miss him terribly and Sunday morning will be tough this week - actually for many weeks to come..
Ellie and I are now looking at each other in dismay, she not understanding where Grover went, me understanding that Grover is gone. She has hidden behind the couch for most of the day today. Not understanding why for the 1st time in her life she was at home alone. she's never been alone a day in her life. Ranger and Mechee where there when she was little, then Jet and Grover as she has grown into a little senior doggie. Countless rescues have entertained her as well through the years. She was a wreck when I got home today but so was I.
A huge part of my heart went with him today. It has been a horrible 24 hours of watching him slowly fade away and realizing that it was his time. Surgery might have help but in the end I felt it was better to let him go. It would have only been a band-aid of time for me.
The sudden loss of Grover is a heart breaker. A Heart Tumor. Yesterday morning he was fine, chasing Ellie, chasing squirrels, loving life and today in my arms at the vet as they administered the his final shots. On the floor together I held him with his head in my hands, at the last minute he lifted his head and put his forehead against my cheek in a final good bye and then he was gone. Dr. Nogler and I cried together; She leaving a pool of tears on his shoulder me leaving mine on the floor next to his head. I think that is the last thing I will remember of this day, the tears of love that showered my sweet Grover boy.
I will miss him everyday. Cheers Grover, for being part of my life, loving me and for being the sweet boy you grew to be.





