well Friday I had to do it.
My Boxer of many years was really getting in bad shape and we took him to the vet to have him put to rest.
Barker had been a faithful Jeep dog for many a year, exploring with me the mountains and deserts of SoCal and never flinching from passenger seat duties. We 4x4, hiked and camped all over and he was always willing to go. Even the last few years, when I would go out leaving him at home because he no longer had the stamina to go out for long days, he would be ready and I hated myself for leaving him at home, but he was better off that way.
Well he is in puppy heaven now, a young dog again vanquishing the area of skunks (boy he hated them and caught quite a few, and you know what that meant) I have had a few tears looking over old pictures of him when he was young.
A younger version of him rides with me now, his sister Babs, a white and brindle boxer and she loves the ride. But Barker loved the adventure and was always poking around and getting in trouble. He leaves memories of advents that legends are made from. and always greeted everyone with a tail wag and a face lick. He was the kind of dog that will be very hard to be replaced in my heart. Always willing and always eager, always there when you needed some encouragement, always willing to chase a ball, and always up to mischief stealing a tool when you were doing a trail repair cause he wanted to play.
RIP Barker, may they never run out of skunks to chase down where you are now. PS, your box of Smackos was eaten by Babs.
