It's been a year and I still miss my dog

Today marks one year since I put my dog Cheba down. Now, I don't think there has been a day in the 365 that have passed where I haven't thought of her. Yet, here we are on the one year mark since she died. To put it simply; I miss my dog. 

The picture above is from our early days together. I was handed her when she was just over a year old and she was a nut job. She had been cooped up in a house all day and while she had a little bit of ground work, she needed so much more. She needed a minimum of two exercise sessions a day, three was even better.  She had to have her mind constantly stimulated. She craved these things and when she didn't get them she was a nut job. That dog was the most intelligent, passionate, and beautiful dog I had ever had in my life to that point. It took a solid 2-3 years to get her to a place where I was comfortable bringing her out in the world. When I look back on the entirety of her life I would never give up any of the years I had with her. The early years of constant work, the middle years of many great adventures, and her senior years that I enjoyed the most.

Our years of time together, 12 to be exact, are years I will cherish forever.  Thinking back I can say our times sitting in the front yard, me in a chair and Cheebs in the lawn, either in the early morning or early evening, were the best.  She loved being in that space. It was those quiet times when it was just me and her I enjoyed the most. There were the other times where she would follow me around the yard as I did yard work and she just wanted to me near me, but, also be able to check out the neighborhood. She was the most loyal dog I ever owned. 

The bond that developed between Cheba and Daisy was one that always gave us many smiles to keep in our hearts forever. I remember when we first got Daisy Cheba was not excited about it. Yet, it didn't take long before they developed their own big dog little dog friendship. They were together for 10 years of their lives. I can count on one hand the times where they were apart. The many walks, trips, naps, and other times Cheba and Daisy were side by side. Cheba, the big black German Shepherd and Daisy, the little white Chihuahua; sisters forever.

A family dog to her core is what she was. I will never forget having Anthony up when he was just a baby and Cheba's reaction to him being in the house. It was the first time she wasn't glued to my side. She had a natural instinct to be clued to his side. She in whatever room he was in the house ensuring his safety was intact. This repeated itself for her entire life. Anytime the boys, or, other kids where at the house, Cheba was their sentry. It was always amazing to see this when the boys would be in the yard playing. Cheba would play right along with them, but if you watched her, she was really also monitoring the world around them to make sure no harm ever came their way. 

On this day that marks one year since she died I still miss my dog. I shed a couple tears today and I have shed a few more over the last year. I have many memories of Cheba that I will have for eternity. That dog taught me a lot about myself and I will forever be grateful for out time together. 

Rest easy Cheebs, rest easy.  Daddy loves you.