Saturday, February 18, 2012

Snoop Dog

By Tucker Wallace



The day was finally here. The day you never expect to come until it has arrived. The day you don’t think about until it’s too late. The day I had to put my dog down. It was necessary, no doubt. After 12 years of having Snoop, there began to be problems. Snoop continued to lose weight no matter how much he ate, a condition of his diabetes, very common in Miniature Schnauzers we came to find out. His ribs were sticking farther and farther out, forcing him to lie on his side instead of his stomach due to the pain. Yes, putting him down was necessary, but that didn’t make it any easier.
I recall the day we got Snoop. It was Christmas Eve, I was four years old, bouncing off the walls, as you would expect. The doorbell rang, I heard a bark, and we, my five-year-old sister and I, rushed to the front door. My dad walked through the garage door right after the doorbell rang, returning from his trip from the Home Depot he said.  Ironic timing as I look back on it, but my four year old brain didn’t put the pieces together. He talked of seeing Santa’s sleigh in the air. We then opened the front door to find the newest member of our family, Snoop. Our eyes lit up like children on Christmas morning, no pun intended. He was in his kennel with a note attached from Santa, explaining that Snoop was so excited to live with us and that he couldn’t wait until Christmas! I can still remember the jealousy I felt over the next few weeks as Snoop followed my dad around and completely ignored me. “Because Dad reminds him of Santa Claus,” my mother explained. But he did warm up to me and he became one of my best friends.
I had just returned home from school, one hour until the appointment. I was attempting to keep a brave face for my siblings, already in tears. We loaded up into the car, me driving (hoping it would keep my mind off of what was about to happen), my dad in the passenger seat, and my siblings in the back with Snoop, who was enjoying all the attention.
I thought back to the time I taught Snoop to sit. My parents had friends over, and I was trying to get in on their adult conversations, a little too complex for my five-year-old brain to comprehend. “Go teach Snoop a trick.” My dad said in desperation, just to get me out of the room. I went to the other room, one arm around a case of 100 dog treats, the other around my dog. I must’ve used half of the dog treats, but when I returned 20 minutes later, beaming, Snoop knew how to sit on command. You could feel my pride radiating from the other side of the room as Snoop indeed sat for my parents and their friends to see. I gave him another treat.
It hadn’t worked. Driving was clearly not distracting enough as tear after tear rolled down my face. Looking over and seeing my normally stone-faced dad in the same situation didn’t help at all.
I thought back to the times I had attempted to take him on a walk. No matter how hard I tried, Snoop had to be the leader. We were never going fast enough, whether sprinting or walking. He was never far enough ahead of me, whether four feet with the normal leash or thirty feet with the expandable one. If he wasn’t choking himself with his collar, he wasn’t going fast enough.
We finally made it. I got us to the veterinary clinic without getting in a wreck, which was a definite possibility considering my tear-filled, clouded up vision. My mom met us at the clinic, so she could drive the family home afterwards; I had basketball practice to go to when we were done. We walked into the clinic, and up to the front desk. We waited in the front lobby for what seemed to be an eternity; I couldn’t hide my tears from the strangers in the clinic for so long. Snoop began barking at everything that moved. This turned my thoughts to another memory:
No matter what we tried, shock collar, hitting him on the nose, putting him in his kennel, every time someone knocked at the front door, within a hundredth of a millisecond, Snoop was right there, barking his guts out, and he would not stop until about ten minutes after the intruder entered our house. He would then tone down to growling, and in his last attempt to rid them from the premises; he’d use his final defense, his stench. He’d stay at their side the entire time they were over, expecting to get petted non stop, while his trade mark wet-dog, moldy cheese, rotten egg smell was festering. I could literally see the moment his fumes floated up into their nose, not a pretty sight.
            We were finally admitted to “The Remembrance Room.” “Take all the time you need,” we were told. Great, just what I needed, more time to think about the inevitable. I looked around the room as everyone was fighting for his attention, while all Snoop wanted to do was explore. He was so naïve as to what was about to happen. It was probably better that way.
            The nurse then entered back into the room, needle in hand. We were ready, or as ready as you can be for a moment like this. She explained he would feel no pain; it would be like going to sleep. “I must warn you though, in rare cases, a side effect of this injection is barking. Just remember if he does bark, he’s not in pain, it’s just a side effect.” If he started barking I would’ve probably ripped that needle out of his arm myself. We all put our hands on Snoop as she put the needle into place.
            Goodbye Snoop. I’ll always remember your trash raids. You always looked forward to Tuesdays, trash day, so you could raid the neighborhood and come back that night and throw it all up again. I won’t forget the countless times I cleaned up your poop in the basement, or your “pee wall”, because outside wasn’t good enough for you. I won’t forget coming home everyday to you, barking at me, wagging your tail, the first one to greet me no matter what. Goodbye.
            She stuck in the needle, his head fell to the ground, his body limp, still staring into space with wide-open eyes. Then the “I wishes” started to come. Oh how I wish I had went and played fetch with you instead of watching that TV show! Oh how I wish I would’ve went to the park with you more, petted you more instead of kicking you away! But, of course, I couldn’t do a thing. And that was it. On to my new life, without my oldest friend, Snoop. I tried to wipe away the tears, forget about what just happened, as I entered the gym, put on my practice gear, and went on with my new life.


Friday, February 10, 2012

THE 'BURG

Rachel and Richie were kind (and BRAVE) enough to let us sleep over at their house... all 6 of us in their two bedroom apartment.  It was fun to be with Miles and Gwen in their territory where they feel the most comfortable.

I didn't get very many pictures.  I think I was too busy worrying about Taysom and getting her set up in her apartment and ready to start classes.

Richie took us over to the campus and gave us a tour.  He and Rach are a valuable resource as they graduated not too long ago from BYU-I.

Rachel and Richie insisted that we sleep in their room in their bed while they used a blow up mattress in Miles and Gwen's room.  We slept wonderfully even though I was so embarrassed to be taking over their bed.  Our kids slept in the front room all together just like Christmas Eve.

 Taysom took the couch while the rest slept next to one another on the floor snuggled in R&R's quilts.  This is in the morning before I woke them up.  Hard to explain the emotions I was feeling that morning - so I won't try...

Taysom already knows that it's going to be a BIG day!

Gwen

Miles

After breakfast, Taysom, Henry, Mike and I went over to her apartment to drop off her stuff.  It is a beautiful place with a lot of amenities.  After checking it out, we headed to the only Wal-Mart in Rexburg.  It was more crowded than the day after Thanksgiving.  So many freshman and their parents picking up all kinds of items.  Taysom was overwhelmed.  We took everything back to her apartment and then went for lunch with R&R and kids.  Mike, Taysom, and I had an orientation meeting to go to so the rest of the kids went with Richie to the park. After picking up the kids from R&R's and saying goodbye to them, we went back to BYU-I to say bye to Taysom.  Since it was almost dinner time, we took her and Brittney to Jack In the Box and then said our good byes. 

I can't believe that I didn't take any photos of her apartment or the college or anything.  Honestly, I was emotionally exhausted.  I must not have been thinking straight.  I thought I would lose it when we said good bye, but thankfully her wonderful friend Brittney was there.  The two of them were giggling and happy, and it made me happy.  I did tear up a little, but nothing worth noting.  I felt good about leaving her there.  I'm not saying that I didn't/don't worry, but I know she is ready for this, and I am so happy for her!






It's a new adventure...

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St. George and Salt Lake City


We arrived in St. George very LATE, but Rachel, Richie, Mom and Dad were all still up to welcome us.  It is hard to describe the feeling of being in my mom and dad's home.  Even though I didn't grow up there, it is still like home to me.  There is just an overwhelming comfort there.  And boy, oh boy, did I need that!  Russ, Nat and the girls stayed at Chris and Adrienne's so almost everyone was in St. George.  (Ben, Becca, Izzy, Theo, and Adeline were at their home in Ames.)  We had a "Christmas" dinner the following evening.  Check out these adorable kiddos:

George
John
Josephine

Tess

Paris

Liesl

Zadi

Erma

Zadi and Ilah

Henry and Taysom


Miles





 (Unfortunately, my camera was having some issues.) 

While we were In St. George, my mom showed Taysom how far she had come with Tay's t-shirt quilt.  Ever since seeing Rachel's t-shirt quilt years ago, I've known that I wanted my kids to have one when they went away to college.  There was only one problem - I cannot sew and am poor.  So thankfully, my mom offered to take on the sewing part and have her friend machine quilt it.  Looking at the quilt brings back so many memories.  I can hardly believe that my little girl is 18 years old and away at college.  Time flies!   

Thank you so much, Mom.  I know it turned out beautifully. 

 We made a trip over to Great Grandma's house.  Here she is with Tucker, Taysom and Henry.  (Ilah and Zadi were gone shopping.)
 I LOVE this woman.  Look at that smile.  She is such an example of finding joy in the journey.  I think she understands me better than almost anyone.  I loved visiting with her and being with her in her home.  I just wish we could have gone to the temple together.

After Grandma's house, we went over to the park to play frisbee, etc.  Unfortunately the 'astonishing flying ring' got stuck in a tree.
 A lot of time was spent trying to knock it out with the softball.  We attracted quite the crowd.

 Richie even tried climbing up to get it out.  Finally, Mike hit it with the softball just right and it fell to the ground. 


 Here is Erma, Paris, and Liesl watching the show.
 Look at these cuties!


Of course we had to make some time for games.  Here we are at Chris and A's new home within walking distance to Mom and Dad's... yeah, I'm jealous!
 Chris is really concentrating!

 Russ and Nat

Rachel and Richie and Natalie

 Zadi and Adrienne

 A and Tay
 Tucker and Chris

Ilah and Zadi

Then it was time to say good bye and head for Salt Lake City.  Here is Henry (11) and George (8).

Ilah (12) and Zadi (14)

I hate that this one turned out blurry!  But look at these beautiful girls :)

More beautiful girls - Rachel and Gwen

Ugh - another blurry one.  I wanted to document Tucker's height compared to his uncles.  Chris is really stretching, but I guess he still edges out Tucker.
Russ, Tucker (16) and Chris

Crosby grandkids (minus Josephine, Izzy, Theo, and Adeline)

My mom and dad decided to travel with us to Salt Lake City.  They got us tickets to watch BYU play San Diego so we made a pit stop in Provo.   What a fun surprise for Tucker!


 Grandpa and Tucker
I loved learning that Dad was offered a scholarship to UNLV for basketball, but he wanted to go to BYU.  He decided to try and walk on BYU's basketball team, but after they wanted him to play a different position than he played in high school, he quit.

 LOVE this picture!!!


Then we headed to Salt Lake for New Year's Eve.  We ate a delicious dinner at Little America.
 Tay, Grandma and Ilah
 Grandpa, Henry, Mike and Tucker

We took TRAX (?) over to Temple Square.





 Grandpa with Ilah and Henry

 Everyone near where Grandpa proposed to Grandma

 The Nativity

Christmas Beauty
 In the Joseph Smith Memorial Building... 

There were concerts going on all over the place and people everywhere, but we were tired.  We took TRAX back to the hotel and were in bed by 10:30.  We rung in the new year watching 'The Music Man'.  
To be honest with you, I was glad to see 2011 come to a close.  Goodbye 2011!


The next morning we headed to the Conference Center for Music and the Spoken Word.  It was beautiful as always.  My favorite part was still 'God Be With You Till We Meet Again'.  This time that song took on a little different meaning as I thought of saying goodbye to my mom and dad - and then Taysom.  

I am so thankful that I could have a little extra time with my mom and dad.  No matter how old I get, I still need my mom and dad (even at 40)!  Just being with them helped heal some aches and pains that I had been carrying around.  I wasn't ready to say goodbye, but Taysom was ready to get to Rexburg.  So after lunch, we packed everything up, hugged G&G, and headed to Idaho.  Ready or not- (see next post).

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