My Barket List

Hi, this is Evie, telling you about my last couple of days on the wonderful planet Earth. Humans call it a "Bucket List", but since I am a dog, I'm calling it my "Barket List". 

I almost had a very short barket list four years ago, but Austin Boxer Rescue found me. They drove me to Austin, and introduced me to my new foster family. 

My foster family loved me so much, they asked me to stay with them - I had a furever home! 

We were all blessed to be together for almost four years. But, unfortunately, I developed spine problems, and I lost control of my hind legs. I could walk with my mommy's help for about six months, but then I could barely use my legs at all anymore. I got tired. It was time for me to go to Rainbow Bridge. 

Here is my story of my last day and a half - my Barket List. We started early, because the weather man said it was supposed to rain on the day I was going to cross Rainbow Bridge. Mommy told me that she was so thankful that she got to spend this time with me. 

Mommy took me to the park every day - even when i couldn't walk on my own anymore. But on my special day, she took me to the park by the marina. It was a nice day at the park. I wanted to go all over the place. My back legs were working somewhat that afternoon, so we walked around for about 20 minutes. Then I took a quick rest. 

Until we saw some children. I love children! They are my favorite people in the whole wide world. We went over to say hi, and they loved on me for a while. 

It was lunchtime, so we went to Sonic and got hot dogs. They were covered in bacon and cheese! My favorite foods in the whole wide world. I'll miss bacon.

Mommy helped me eat my hot dog.

I ate all of mine, and half of hers. And you know what happened at dinner time? I STILL wanted to eat my dinner! 

We got home, and there was a thunderstorm. I have always been scared during thunderstorms. So I cuddled up with my mommy while she finished working for the day. 

The weather cleared up, so we went outside to have a Barbecue. 

I sat on Mommy's feet to keep them warm, because even when it's summer, her feet get cold. 

We went inside for the night. Mommy and I cuddled on the couch for a while. She didn't have her makeup on, and her face was kinda puffy, but I looked at her and told her that she is a beautiful mommy. I told her how much I trust her. I gave her kisses, too!

She hugged me tight. And breathed in my scent. She told me she always wants to remember how smooth my coat is, and how good I smell. I didn't think humans liked how dogs smell. 

The next day, we woke up, and I did my usual tour of the yard. Down the path, onto the pier, down to the other end, back onto the grass, and did my business by the orange tree. Then we went out onto the pier again, and took some time to reflect. 

We came back inside and Mommy made me steak and eggs for breakfast.

Delicious! 

Next, we went to the park. I said goodbye to all the birds out on the island. 

I'm going to miss chasing birds! 

We came home so Mommy could do some work and I could take a nap. Then I played one last game of tug-o-war with my sister. 

At lunchtime, Mommy and I went through the drive-through at Wendy's and got a hamburger. They cut it into fourths for us so that we could share it. We went to the park to eat it. 

At least I don't have to worry about my waistline - I've had lots of fattening food these past couple of days. 

We came home, and I was so very tired. I went straight to my bed. One last nap in my big, comfy bed. I had to get some beauty rest, because we still had a couple of hours to party. 

After I woke up, Mommy took me outside to have a beef pupsicle on a nice, warm afternoon. 

And I got a brain freeze. 

Mommy said, "You know I'm going to miss you, right?"

I'll miss you, too. More than birds, bacon, and pupsicles.

We went back inside for a bit. We had about two hours before Dr. Wind was going to come over to help me cross the Rainbow Bridge. 

Daddy brought me up on the couch so that we could have a heart-to-heart chat. He told me what a good girl I have been, and how happy he was that I got to be part of our family. 

Mommy sat next to me on the floor every day for the past three months while she worked. And every day, whenever she got up to get a glass of water, I would steal her spot. This day was no exception. 

All too soon, It was time for Dr. Wind to come over, so we went down to the pier to sit, like we do every night, and have some last hugs and chats. Zoe laid down next to me. I had to tell her some things. She had some things she wanted to tell me, too. 

My brother, Corey, came to say goodbye, but Mommy forgot to get a picture. 

Then Mommy hugged on me a bit more, and told me, "I'll meet you at Rainbow Bridge." 

I'll be waiting for you, Mommy. 

Let's shake on it. 

Daddy, take care of Mommy until I can be with her again, please? Zoe, let Mommy love and hug on you. She needs you now.  

See these legs and feet? As of 7:15 on July 18, 2014, these feet are carrying me all around Rainbow Bridge, where I can run and jump and play like I haven't been able to do for the last six months. There is no pain, and I don't drag my legs on the ground anymore. They carry me about, where I am smiling with a big, open mouth, and my tongue lolling about, happy and free as can be. 

I'm back to being the proud Boxer that I have always been. 

Hi everybody, this is Evie's mommy, Tori. I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank you for reading her story. 

I want to thank the fantastic volunteers at Austin Boxer Rescue for rescuing Evie, and then placing her with us. You gave me one of my best friends. A special shout-out to Erin. 

I want to thank the doctors at North Pines Animal Hospital, Drs. Wind and Thompson - as well as their incredibly caring staff, for all the care that they have given Evie over the past year and a half since we moved to the Lake Conroe area. 

I want to thank Dr. Morris and her staff at Tender Paws Animal Hospital for all of her work in giving Evie acupuncture. It sure did help her for quite a while, and it gave me more time with her, with the knowledge that she really wasn't in pain. 

Finally, I want to thank all of my real-life friends and family, as well as my SWC and Facebook friends and family for their support through this past few days. It means so much to me.