11 years ago I sat in the back of my sisters red Toyota 4runner as we went to "look" at a liter of lab puppies. It was dark outside so I have ZERO clue where we were. We went inside and there a few puppies who were super energetic and full of life. I personally LOVED this one puppy who had a crooked tail, and he was cheaper because he wouldnt be able to used as a breeding dog or something because of his "flaw". Anyway, my sister really liked this other puppy who was different than all the rest, he had a white patch on his chest. The owner called him patches. My sister was in LOVE with him. So my brother in law LEFT US THERE (seriously, middle of NOWHERE, pitch dark outside, he leaves TWO WOMEN...thanks Todd!!!) to get cash for the dog. Soon he was back and we were on our way home with "Patches"
Clearly no one was fond of the name he was given at birth so the whole ride home, we all talked about different names. I believe it was Todd who finally said Luke. No one HATED it so Luke became the black labs name. Luke curled up into a ball and settled down with me for the ride home. It was at that moment, I felt as though he was my dog.
I lived with my sister on and off while I was in college. Usually spending my off semester at her house hanging out or helping with the kids. It just became easier to "live" there instead of going back and forth. Plus, my parents tried to keep me under CRAZY rules when I was in college...NO THANKS! Luke was ALWAYS by my side. He was a typical lab puppy, chewed EVERYTHING! I literally mean EVERYTHING! His toys were gone in a matter of seconds, shoes left out did not stand a chance, and he even ate DRYWALL!!! *Funny story about THAT...but you will just have to ask another time* He was mischevious, but he was everyones favorite dog. So loveable, cuddly, and just cute.
Luke was NEVER the brightest dog. He picked up simple commands easily, but he lacked in the common sense department. Seriously he fell in the pool and they had to jump in and drag him out...otherwise he would have drowned! What LAB doesnt know how to swim!? We often times made fun of him. Where he lacked in one area, he made up for in his sweetness. Poor luke went through 7 BOYS pulling on his tail, poking his privates, climbing on him. pulling ears, etc. and he never ONCE was bothered by it. He never grawled, never barked, never bit them. He just laid there and let the kids do their thing to him. We would always laugh when a new baby was born and brought over to Beth's because Luke would make this silly sign sound like "oh great here we go again". You would never know if it bothered him though.
As he got older he got slower. He couldn't hear very well, couldn't see very well, and was just slow to react. If he got out of his house he always stayed right in front, but the older he got, and the new house, made him get disoriented and he would walk away. You could tell he just was not the same. He slept more, played less. He was energetic the first 5 minutes you were around him and then he went to lay down...NOT typical Luke.
I cannot imagine having to make the decision my sister had to make. He was their first child, and he was LOVED! He was so spoiled, mostly by Todd, and he grew on EVERYONE...even those who said they don't like dogs, loved Luke. My heart was aching all Monday as I knew what they were going to be going through. Death is death...no matter a human or an animal, it is still confusing and lonely and full of questions. I know my sister and Todd held onto Luke as he passed, and I know he felt love. He isn't in pain anymore, and he can hopefully be running free chasing all the balls he can in life and making everyone gag with his NASTY farts!
Luke will always be loved, and always be missed. I don't think it has fully hit me yet because I haven't physically seen the emptiness of my sisters home. I know come April when I visit, it is going to hit me hard. Luke will always be my hairy black nephew, and I hope he is enjoying doggie heaven!!!
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