Ginger

December 12, yesterday, I lost a dear friend, Ginger. Ginger was the most wonderful golden retriever. In May 1998, my mom, my dad, my sister, and I went to pick out a puppy. Ginger was the one we instantly fell in love with. She was cute, fuzzy, playful. She became a part of our family before we all found our spouses, got our own pets, and before we had Wesley, yet she welcomed them all.

I have lots of great memories with Ginger. I remember her awkward puppy run. I remember her young, jumpy days when she (and Midas) would knock just about anyone down. I remember how she quickly became referred to as my "dog sister." I remember how Mom used to call me Boo, until Ginger took that nickname from me.

I remember the first time Nick and I went on a date, and he picked me up. Ginger was there to greet him with her latest wild animal kill. Yeah, she protected our house by making sure no unwanted animals made our farm her home. I swear she was taking that animal and showing it to Nick as a threat, "If you hurt Sydney, this is what I will do to you!"

I remember when I was a senior in high school and my parents went on a vacation and left Allyssa, Ginger, and me home, I knew I was safe with Ginger there to guard the house. We spoiled her extra that week, too. I remember feeding her all sorts of table food, and then Mom and Dad wondering why she was begging so much when they returned.

I remembering being sad to leave her behind when I went to college. I remember Mom emailing me pics of her and eventually picture messages, too. Every time I came home, she was so happy to see me. She wasn't angry that I left, just happy when I was there. She seemed happy every time I came home, even when it meant me with Sully, then me with Teddy and Sully, then me with Teddy, Sully, and Wesley.

I remember her visiting the summer we renovated the bathroom of my house and she was so excited to go on city walks and explore new things but seemed confused by the leash. She didn't fight the leash until she saw something like a squirrel though that she thought needed chased.

I remember the balls of reddish fur she would leave behind because she had so much fur! I remember the time she got a haircut that make her look like a squirrel, which wasn't her best look.

I remember how if you were petting her and thought you were done and she wasn't she would take her nose and force your hand over her head as a not so subtle hint to keep petting her.

I remember how she loved the trampoline and most things on the farm. Her newest love was my parents' Rhino. She was excited to ride it in as if she was a puppy.

She was a part of our family. I am so happy that Wesley got to meet her, but so sad that he won't remember how amazing she was. I am so glad that I got to say goodbye to her this weekend, but so sad that I had to say goodbye at all.

We love you, Ginger. I will never forget you.