Levi

I know many of you have experienced the pain I am about to describe….

It’s early on Friday morning, the house is very quiet. My normal routine is to get up, pat Levi on the head and he follows me to the kitchen. While I made the coffee, he went to the front yard, did his business, and then waited for me on the front steps looking out into the neighborhood as if to be checking on things for the day.  After his observations, he would “knock” on the door lightly with his huge paw, letting me know he was ready to start his day inside.   We then headed to the back-screen porch and spent considerable amount of time there or until Betty got up. (He really loved his momma.)  He had a certain spot where he watched the early morning birds, rabbits, squirrels, and an occasional deer, waiting for the pups next door to come out.   He never, ever allowed us to get out of his sight.  We have taken many steps over him while he lay in between us!

This morning is different. There is no normal procedure and our heart is breaking. Levi was our 100 lb. Schnoodle. He was almost 13 years old and he came to us at 4 months. He grew up with the grandchildren, running, playing ball allowing the little ones to do just about anything they wanted to do to him. I know we all say they are part of our family, but Levi, since all our children are grown, was our fourth “child”.  We referred to him as the Gentle Giant. Everyone in our neighborhood knew him and admired him. We live on a cul-de-sac and our neighbors would walk by while he stood majestically in the yard and watch them. We became known as Levi’s mom and dad.

Every day we loved on him and he loved on us.  He never, ever allowed us to get out of his sight.  We have taken many steps over him while he lay in between us!  He was everybody’s friend and loved people. If we took him out people would always just stand and look at his huge frame and often ask what kind of dog he was.  Or, if I went to the bank the employees would want him to come in and he often visited every office in the bank saying hello to everyone which brought bank operations to a standstill. 😊The FedEx lady loved him and always left him a bone even if he was not out when she came. The baristas at Joe Beans always gave him a treat and sometimes even a cup of whipped creme with a bone.  He often received gifts from neighbors, friends, and family!

In the latter part of his life he began to develop breathing problems and it continued to get worse. His doctor told us that this condition would not get better. The last few weeks had been very tough for him. Our sweet groomer groomed him for the last time or at least tried last week. He always loved it, but this time it so exhausted him that she had to stop and when we left tears were running down her face. 

After a most difficult Wednesday night, we took him back to see his doctor on Thursday.   She so lovingly examined him for the last time. Her prognosis was that it was like he was breathing through a straw. His heart was worn out.  For several weeks we had tried to prepare ourselves to realize that this was coming, however, it still felt like it blindsided us.  And we were not prepared!