Daltrey

Daltrey: Sunrise April 5th 2009 – Sunset April 6 2024

My dearest Daltrey. You know when Kody passed I said there was no way I could love another like her. I couldn’t have been more wrong. If Webster was mom’s, and Kody was mine, you were ours, especially Logan. Kody may have helped raise Logan like a second mom, but you grew up with each other, and as a big brother you tolerated the ear tugs, and goofy little brother stuff but all the while always watching out for him. For mom, a you were constant companion, always there, curled up, bed, couch or chair, it didn’t matter. You came along at a time when she, we, needed you most. Of course when you came, outside at a parking lot at a Kentucky Target store where Nellie the breeder came with two pups, you were an easy choice. As I put you in the car, your dad Tugg was circling the car, crying, saying goodbye to his son. I put his face in my hands and promised him we would cherish you. When you see him and Peaches please let hm know we, and anyone who came across did just that.

I’d like to think you had a good life, full of energy in the early years, I loved to take you to the dog park and watch you run like a thoroughbred with those long strides. So much longer and bigger than a typical Aussie, people (and other Aussies) would do a double take. “He’s an Aussie?” they would ask. Pure as can be I answered proudly. You didn’t care, you just wanted to play with your buddies and let everyone love on you. When it was time to put Kody down, the torch was passed and you became the heart and soul of our family. When we went to pick out your brother Caesar, we had to pull you away from chasing the chickens you had never seen before. Caesar gravitated right to you, climbing all over, showing no fear, and you tolerating it as you did from then on. Letting him be the alpha dog and being the big brother all over again. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. You can see the sadness in his eyes as he says goodbye to the best companion a little brother could have.

As age caught up with you, the arthritis, the knee surgeries, the pain, you took it in stride. Stoic and brave as always. You allowed us the privilege of extending your life even though the quality for you declined. If that isn’t true love then I’m at a loss for a definition. Now the time comes to put you first, and do what is best for you even though it pains us to a degree I can’t even put into words. When Kody passed I said I would never hurt that bad again, I was wrong about that too. We just learn to love and grieve in different ways. So now the torch gets passed once again to Caesar. He’ll never be as universally loved as you (except by us) due to his nature, but I know you’ll save a spot for him as Kody and Webster did for you. So as you sprout your wings, and those soulful brown eyes close for the final time; they will open and Kody and Webster will be there to greet you and show you around. Peaches and Tugg will be there to welcome back there son. You’ll all be young and pain free. Be ready for a run and have at it! We’ll all be reunited some day.

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, the sun shine warmly upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hands and welcome you home. You were never a pet, just family to us.

We love you dearly, mom, dad, Logan, and Caesar