In honor of Irbe, our sweet dog, here is his life ...
He was born January 26, 2001 and rescued from the SPCA by Scott and I in Wilmington, NC. He was a tiny little thing, projected to be only about 20 lbs full grown. He sure was a cute little thing.
Then he started to grow ... quickly!
and grow ...
and grow ... until one day he woke up with these long legs!
We left Wilmington, and moved to Texas. He was determined not to get left behind and hung out in the car all day long while we packed.
Then his legs outgrew his body and he developed hip dysplasia. Surgery #1 was right before his first birthday.
He loved playing with the other dogs, even though I was afraid he was going to throw poor Winston through the room with the tug of war game they had going.
He was a sly dog. He was NOT allowed on Mom Sher's new leather couch, but when she wasn't around, he was quick to find his spot!
He loved to play. We played chase, tug of war, catch, and even danced with him.
Then it was off to Rhode Island, to endure the COLD!
and boy, he DID love the snow!
In St. Louis, he sure enjoyed the green grass and huge yard to run around in.
He was always a trooper to play dress up with the kids.
But never afraid to say, leave me alone!
Next, off to the desert ... Phoenix.
He grew fond of the girls stuffed animals, as they were always in the spots he wanted to sleep.
Back to the beach, this time in Florida. We were not sure if he would like the water after all these years, but he LOVED IT!
until he got hurt again ... leading to surgery #2, 8 years after the first surgery.
Our little guy, not so little anymore, was 60 lbs and an old man.
But he was still, always happy and very puppy like in his heart.
The girls sure do love their Irbe.
In his old age, we even spoiled him some by giving him things he shouldn't have had ... like a big ole Prime Rib bone!
Days before he left us, he still was enjoying life, hanging out with the family, watching the squirrels.
His last day, he just wasn't himself. He was sad and just not himself. His breathing was funny and his stomach looked protruded. We took him to the vet to get checked out. He was rushed into emergency surgery for an abdominal hemorrhage, which turned out to be cancer, which had spread throughout his stomach.
The girls got to say goodbye, before his surgery, and I took this picture just in case he didn't recover. I am so thankful that I did.
Irbe died on Friday, May 13th, 2011 at the age of 10 years old.
He will always be remembered by us and those who knew him. He was a very special dog and will forever hold a place in our hearts.
Now, he is in a better place, hopefully laying next to Mom Sher on a big, comfy, leather couch ... together again.
