From the moment I saw you, it was love at first sight!  Big, brown, puppy dog eyes, floppy ears and a personality that drew everyone in. A black and white coat that was always in style.  I knew right off the bat, I wanted you in my life!  How fast did 16 years go?  Those years went streaking by, almost a blur!  You were a 5 month old puppy, now, a day I dreaded!  I promise you this, I don’t regret one single day with you! I don’t regret the decision to bring you home.  It was the best thing I ever did! Even though the years went fast…I’m thankful for all the great memories.

These pics are from when I first brought her home!

From the time I brought you home, till the very end….you were my heart and soul!  We sure did have a lot of great times and a lot of laughs, huh?  I’ll never forget your love of getting presents! Christmas and your birthday were always amazing days.  I remember taking you home for Christmas….everyone was in the kitchen and then all of a sudden you were gone. “Where’s Izzy, everyone asked…we found you 15 seconds later, under the Christmas tree opening your presents…even though there were other presents under the tree, you picked out only your presents to open early.  Here’s a video from one Christmas…I always loved to watch you open your presents!

I remember the time we found out you were allergic to something in your yearly vaccines.  You swelled up like a balloon and I went out in the pouring rain to find you some kids Benadryl.  I’ll be honest, I was pretty scared I was going to lose you!  Thank goodness the Benadryl worked.  But, before we knew about this allergy, on the way home from the vet, we stopped at the pet store and you picked out Pink Cow Guy.  (yes, her toys all had names like that)

Oh and then there is the fact that your Grandpa loved you THE MOST! He loved how you loved tennis balls!  He still brags on how he’d throw a tennis ball into the woods, down the hill and you’d come back 2 or 3 minutes later with that tennis ball in your mouth!  He also still brags on how he used to get to babysit you and take you to Home Depot with him.  Then there is his bragging on how great of a dog you were.  Not only did Grandpa love you, Grandma loved you and so did my friends, Tracy, Jeff, Shirlee, Debbie, Linda, Chris…that just scratches the surface of people that loved you!  Even my niece, Jordyn loved you!

I know you loved Garth Kitty and Skylar…even though you pretended to hate them.  I know down deep you were having fun in the snow!

You loved the simple things, tennis balls, water, Green Stick Guy and Pink Cow Guy.  But you LOVED bubbles!

You had friends, like your friend Izzie…yep the same name except with an “ie” instead of a “y”

Speaking of love….I remember your first trip to the beach…you weren’t too sure about it but by the end of the day, you were running around, chasing the ball into the ocean.  That was a great day!

You were the coolest dog ever!  The best thing I ever did was bring you home from that shelter!  I’m so glad you were a part of my life…now you’ll be a part of my heart forever! I hope Garth Kitty was waiting for you when you crossed that rainbow bridge! You are chasing tennis balls till you’ve had enough. Played in the ocean till you can’t. Popped all the bubbles in the world and opened presents till you couldn’t.

As I sit here writing this blog through my tears and sniffles…I think, there is a lot humans can learn from dogs!  There is a reason dog spelled backwards is God. The are truly an innocent creature and we can learn so much from them!!  What I have learned so much from Izzy….

1. Unconditional love.

2. Never take the time we have on this earth for granted.

3. Kindness

4. Empathy & Sympathy

5. Always greet the people you love with excitement and love

If you have a healthy and happy furbaby, hold them tight tonight and give them all the love and attention they deserve. They truly are a golden gift from God.

Here’s to you my Izzy girl!

2006-2021

Dogs are the most wonderful thing that is a part of your family!