And she loved the beach...

When I started this blog and named it Liddy Cakes I knew someday I'd have to write this post and that it would break my heart in two - but that's the price of love. On Monday, June 17 we had to say see you later (we don't do goodbyes in our house) to our sweet Liddy girl. We knew she wasn't doing so well and had hoped a trip to one of her favorite places - Rodanthe - would breathe new life into her - but rather she made it clear to us that instead this would be the place she'd stay forever. 

Even though you know the inevitability of having a dog you can never really prepare yourself for how it will actually feel when everything you are doing is for the last time - laying with them, holding them, smelling them, kissing them - it's torture and it's beautiful and it's a gift all at the same time. 

We made sure everyone had their time with her - including Sadie whom we knew could sense something was not right. It's not my place to say how anyone else in the family was feeling - but I will say it was a bonding experience like none other - so silver linings here and there. 

I'll never forget those last moments with her - tears flowing yet trying to be as strong as I could be for her - telling her how much we loved her - what an amazing dog she was - how much I'd miss her laying on my legs while I'd nap - apologizing for all the things I was sure we'd done wrong - knowing very well she would never have accused us of anything but giving her the best life possible. 

Liddy was truly a lover - she loved her doggie friends (Wasaki, Casper, Keegan, Snowflake, Jeter, Layla, Zibby, Holly to name a few), and while she was unsure of Adam when we brought him home - she sure did learn to love him and I know she sensed something was wrong while we waited for Harper to come home as she was constantly by my side and she greeted him with warmth and love when we finally did.

There wasn't anyone who would come to our house that didn't end up with a Liddy girl on their lap. She welcomed everyone with a bark (thanks Chappies!! sigh) and once you sat down - there she was. She was probably happiest with her head on someones lap - and I'm eternally grateful that a majority of the time - it was my lap she was on. 

Her greatest gift to us was passing on to Sadie all the wonderful things about herself. She taught Sadie boundaries, how to be loving and sweet (and to never bite!), and we all took so much comfort knowing that the best of Liddy would live on in our sweet Sadie lady. 

We'll remember her always when we come across the things that brought Liddy joy - like swimming, running, boating, chasing tennis balls, Liddy Cakes, peanut butter, Wintergreen, Lake Anna, Myrtle Beach, being a Virginia Tech tailgater of the game, wine (yes, we'd let her lick out of our glasses), Doggie Happy Hours, bananas, and on and on - a joyful pup she was. 

No one loves you the way a dog does. The happiest greeting you'd receive when you'd arrive home regardless of being gone for 2 weeks or 3 hours came from Liddy. She made her love for our family known every moment of the day...and of course we know she loved the beach....

(Liddy filled past blog posts found here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here...so thankful for this forum which serves as a memory keeper for our family - Liddy lives on in our hearts and on this blog)