Dexter (aka Doodie, D-man, D-Money, Duda, and so many more) crossed the rainbow bridge this past Monday night, 12/19/22, around 8:20. He was such a sweet boy and loved us til his last breath. I think he knew how hard it would be for us to put him down, so he went on his own. No matter how much we tried to prepare for this moment, we just couldn’t. To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. We know we were blessed to have him for so long, but we miss him so much. Our day to day just doesn’t feel normal. Our family doesn’t know life together without him.
Thanksgiving of 2004, I recieved a surprise gift. That gift was a 6-7 week old puppy that could fit into the palm of my hand. I decided to name him Dexter. The following year (Dec 05) I met Pam. Dexter was our little wild, full of energy, pup. Jumping over fences, (yes he could) digging for hours, crawling under wooden fences (eventually had to put up an electric fence) and off he'd go... hunting into the woods, roaming, chasing after birds, dragging up rats and leaving them at the front door for me to see, when leaving the next morning for work. Years go by and we have our first baby (Kinsey May '10) Soon after, Kinsey and Dexter were our babes... Dexter (Doodie) started to some what, settle down and became a big bro to Kinsey. Always laying beside her, protecting her and forming a sweet bond. A few more years go by and Kyzer is born (Aug '14) When the 4 of us would go on vacation, or a weekend long ball trip, Doodie had to be the man of the house while we were gone. While sad having to leave him behind, we had little to no worries with Doodie, because he was so self sufficient and could be left plenty of food and water and had access to the back yard for whenever he wanted and needed. When we'd get home, he'd always yelp out for joy and start chomping on his treats within minutes of us being home... while we got plenty of sugar from him, making up for lost time. Doodie, kids and Pam
~ would occasionally get in the dog house w/me. Chicken wings were Doodie's weakness and we knew he wasn't supposed to have them. If you left them in the trash he'd sniff them out and leave a disaster behind. After too many occasions of trash and bones scattered across the kitchen floor, we finally figured out that we needed to take the trash out right away or he'd be into it. As Doodie got older, he no longer tried to escape our yard and remained content with his old man lifestyle. From the beginning, he slept on our bed, between Pam and I (at our hip) most nights. He would usually get down a time or two during the night to go use the bathroom outside, fill up on water, or get him a midnight snack. The past 6-8 months, his old bones made it too hard for him to jump up and down on the bed (he wouldn't use the stairs we got him) so he'd whine until we picked him up... until one night, he fell asleep on his doggie bed beside ours. From then on, he never tried to get back up in the bed with us, knowing it was too tough on him and us. As he aged, Dexter's hearing has been very poor for several years, hardly could hear a lick and his eye sight hasn't been great either. He still had a sniffer on him though. He and Pam would be home together all day (M-F) while she worked, having an office buddy. Many days, I'd come home from work and he'd be snoozing in the kitchen, in one of his doggie beds. I'd sneak by without him seeing or hearing me, to the back (bedroom) stretch out and occasionally get a nap in myself. Usually within a few minutes he'd be in my room right beside me to get some loving and nap with me. I guess his keen sense would sniff me out and know dad was home.
We knew this dreaded day was coming, as he really started to slow down the last couple of months. He waited until we got home from Kinsey's soccer game at Columbus HS Monday night and gave us a little more time with him before taking his final breath. We will miss him extremely much. Selfishly, we were hoping to get another Christmas with him but we were able to get a Christmas pic in our matching pj's a week or so ago, knowing it was probably coming soon.
I know this is a long post.. or full obituary, but Doodie was so worth it and deserving of one (even though it took us a few days to be able to do it). He gave us 18 years and almost 3 months worth of his time and love.
Dexter was born (10-2-04) and passed (12-19-22)
RIP our buddy, we miss you so much and love you, forever and ever. ❤ Dad, Mom, Kins, Ky.
