In Memory of My Beloved Friend

Apache

You were the pillar of our pack - your personality steady and strong, confident and benevolent - the perfect leader.  You caught my attention at the SPCA (in cage number 5, just like Cheyenne had been a few months earlier) because you were so happy-go-lucky and self-assured.  I'll never forget how you waltzed into the house and stole our hearts.  You became Chey's best friend and helped her realize the world was not such a scary place.  Together, the two of you chased squirrels out the back deck and went for long walks in the park, or "Woodle's Woods" as we called it.  I'll never forget your first walk around the block as a puppy...you  were tired, so Greg carried you home.  Your name was Apache because you liked to sneak up on us when we were sleeping and lick our eyelids to wake us up.  But, those hind legs got you the nickname of "Poodle", or "Poo".  The kids at Tammy Lynn called you "Pooh Bear" because you were so fuzzy.  You never loved the car or thunderstorms, but you sure did love the boat.  We never knew why, but you made us laugh every time you would run to the dock and jump on the boat, ready for a ride.  What a sight to see your upside-down, feet-in-the-air protest of not wanting to leave my parent's place where the boat was.  But, home is where you always loved to be the most.  Nothing made you happier than to have everyone in their "places" with you sitting where you could see us all.  You were the dog I could look at and know exactly what you meant without a word said...the swish of your tail as you walked by the boys during a CGC test...the understanding look when the kids would grab your fur...the helicopter tail, lick-your-glasses-off "thank God you are home" greeting on Sunday nights.   I'll never forget our special walks to the mailbox and how happy you always were to "go to the office" because you knew I'd be staying home for the day.  You are connected to me in a special way.  Your spirit will be with me always, my dearest, dearest Apache.