A STORY ABOUT THE ONES WE LOVE

Shortly after we purchased our first home, we wanted to fill it with children. We couldn't afford for me to stay home at the time so we waited to start our family. Instead, we filled it with our animal children.

I quickly picked out a dog from the shelter. A 9 month old big, brindled Australian Shepherd/Pit Bull mix with a brain the size of a peanut. I named him Ben.

Bubby took his time. He wanted a German Shepherd and wasn't sure about the one they had at the shelter. I encouraged him to go back the next day and take a look at the dog again. He brought her out of the kennel and took her for a walk around the grass enclosure. A woman who was walking out in to the enclosure got a little to close to Bubby for the dogs comfort, and she started growling at the woman.

Bubby knew that this was the dog for him. The dog already was ready to protect Bubby from anyone. Their bond was instant. She already had a name.....Mistie.

Bubby called the previous owners and asked questions about Mistie. They told him that she was born on Halloween and that she had been in a kennel for most of her 9 months since she was born. They had no time for her.

Bubby made up for those nine months. He ran and ran with Mistie. And when Mistie couldn't run anymore, Bubby did this. Along the way we acquired five children, three more dogs and five cats. Mistie was pack leader to them all. She would walk the house at night, checking in all the bedrooms to make sure the kids were sleeping before she would come to bed.

Sadly, Mistie could no longer stay with us. Her love for our family never faltered.

We will miss you.......

Mistie

1992 - 2009

DEDICATION

Bubby's dog Mistie turned 16 years old on Halloween. This age is practically unheard of for a German Shepherd. Since the day we chose Mistie at the animal shelter, Mistie has dedicated her life to Bubby.

Bubby started running with her almost immediately. He would take her up into the foothills and run with her every day. She was still running with Bubby as of last year. Now her bones are sore and she can't run.

Did that stop Bubby? No.

Bubby took the jogging stroller and spent two weeks revising the stroller to accommodate Mistie. Now Bubby & Tori (and sometimes Christian on his bicycle), take two nights and 1 day a week to run along side of Mistie.

Their love runs deep.

RUN RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN

We have some runners in our family.....

If you haven't guessed....I'm not one of them. I couldn't run the 1/2 block to the corner without having an asthma attack. Running is boring. Really, if I stopped to think about it....all exercise is boring.

Here is a photo of Tori and Christian after completing the Children's Race. Look how thrilled Christian looks. Christian thinks he's a runner...but he's really not. Christian likes to pretend he's a runner. The only time I really saw Christian haul ass is when we lived in the Metropolis. There was a rumour that a really mean dog in the neighborhood ate a baby. One day, I walked outside just to see Christian rounding the corner running and screaming as fast as he could with the evil dog right at his heels!

No, my three runners are Tori, Bubby and our sweet dog Mistie. Mistie is 15 years old and can't wait to run with Bubby. It's what she has done her whole life and even though Mistie gets sore and sometimes can't even walk up our stairs after a run, she will live her last days running with Bubby.
Happy Love Thursday!

LOVE FOR MISTIE

Bubby took this photo of Mistie on Christmas morning. I think it captures her sweetness and how she is finally starting to look (and act) old after 14 years. HAPPY LOVE THURSDAY!