by Suzanne Fort

Created on: July 08, 2009

Today I said goodbye to my 13-year-old dog, Herman. The dog has been through two marriages with me, dozens of moves, and many other tough situations. I loved that dog to pieces. Herman started walking funny a few days ago. I took him to the vet. They found out today it was kidney failure. My sweet little Herman barely blinked when I said goodbye today. Herman was never like that. He was always a very happy energetic dog even until the end.

I got Herman in a college town when I was in my junior year. I was married and we saw Herman and just knew that he was perfect for us. He was so cute and shy. We trained him to be box trained. We were in a small apartment. We were not even supposed to have him, but we were not the only other couple with a hidden pet. We didn't live in the best place. Herman would go on walks with us. He was a lot of fun.

Herman and I ended up spending the next year alone. The guy left, but Herman stayed. We went to California for a year. He was the the protector of things for me. He was there laying on the pillow next to me. We lived in western Washington for a year. Then we went to North Carolina for two years where I had a child and was married again. Olympia, Washington was our next stop where I had my second child. Herman was a good watch dog. Grand Coulee Dam was our next stop for a few months, and then onto a little town that we are in now. Herman was good at screening out dates when I was single. He was good at watching things when we were alone. Herman was there when I had my two sons. He was there to lay on the pillow with me when I was single. He was my side kick through the good and the bad, the ups and the downs.

I had been neglectful emotionally for periods of time when I went through divorce and other bad situations. I still took care of his needs, but wasn't there like I was in the past. The guilt of it all kills me. We did have another dog, Oreo who was there for Herman to hang with. We still have Oreo. Poor Oreo doesn't know what is going on.

This hurts. Today when it was the end I remembered the beginning. The cute, cuddly dog that was my best friend and will always be my best friend. I hope that heaven is real because I can't even imagine never seeing my little Herman again. Rest in peace sweet Herman. I love you with all of my heart and wish that I could've had a few more years with you. I am glad you went out peacefully.

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