Wednesday, March 23, 2011
This morning we said a tearful goodbye to Beamer (aka Brongie, Broro, Orange Dog). I found Beamer as a small puppy on the side of River Rd on Johns Island and brought her to my parents house - she was starving, covered in fleas & ticks but with lots of love, food and help from Dr. Patrick we were able to save her and I knew she was all mine. Our close family friend & neighbor, Joe, said to Beamer that night "dog, you don't know it, but you just went to heaven without dying" and I love that! She did have a great life and we were mutually lucky in finding each other.She spent time at my parents and lived with me on Charlotte Street, Sullivans Island, the cabin on Long Hill Road and Podunk. She had a quick affinity to Harcourt and loved everything he did from boating to fishing to mountain biking. Whatever it was we did, she usually went with us. Even though she was a Southern dog in blood, she enjoyed playing in the snow but her favorite was always basking on a sunny day in the hottest spot she could find. When we added Nilla to the mix, she was at first put off but quickly they became buddies and Nilla always respected her as an elder. Ike only knows of having Beamer and he loved her despite the fact that she loved to take his food off his plate when he wasn't looking :) We explained to Ike that she was going to heaven and he just kept saying he didn't want her to go. Last night, we went to the pet store and he picked out a chameleon beanie baby, "Iggy", for her to take with her to heaven so she would always remember him as well as some treats and a candy cane bone which she sniffed but didn't take. As she went to sleep for the last time this morning, "Iggy" was under her chin and the vet promised us it would stay with her. We know there is a new fluffy dog bed waiting for her in heaven and all the treats she can eat!
Saying goodbye today definitely feels like the close of a chapter of my life. She was with me through so much in 12.5 years from graduating college, meeting Harcourt, leaving Charleston to establishing a life in Guilford, marrying Harcourt and having Ike & Legare. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Sweet girl, we are all going to miss you very much.
She was always a good sidekick to whatever Ike was doing outside!
as I said, "Whatever it was we did, she [they] usually went with us." 
