I started this post in February but only recently posted it.
Feb 2015:
We got a new dog recently.
Scott and I already had four between us.
But when we got our new house, I felt like I wanted a new puppy to
love. Scott was against the idea. I knew he would be, after all two miniature
Schnauzers and my Chihuahua and Jack Russell mix was already a hand full. They are all good kids. I think Scott was against a puppy, because
they need attention and training. All of
our other dogs are mature dogs. Even our youngest schnauzer was almost 3 years
old. She thinks she is still a
puppy. And indeed Scott picks her up and
cuddles her like a baby. When Scott
asked what I wanted for Christmas, I jokingly put a puppy on the list. I knew Scott would laugh and it would not
happen. Two weeks before Christmas I had
friend at
the Irving Animal Shelter on Face book. They would post pictures of pets that were
available for adoption and also upcoming adoption events. They would also post pictures of animals where
had been in the shelter for an extended time and needed to find a new home as
soon as possible. They called these Code
Red pets. One afternoon I saw the
picture of a red Chihuahua named Roscoe.
He had been in the shelter for almost two months. It broke my heart. He was eight years old and apparently been
overlooked because of his age. He was so
cute. I told Scott about him. I serious
I was about Roscoe. The next morning, I
contacted a friend named Michael, who worked in the same building as the Irving
Shelter. My friend had gone over to see Roscoe and told me he was a sweet boy
and had lots of energy to play. I knew I
wanted to see him for myself. I wanted to know if Roscoe was still there. I also contacted the shelter to see what was
required to adopt. I had told Scott and
he agreed that I could visit the shelter but there was no guarantee that we
would get a new dog. My heart went out
to this little guy. I understood what
it is like to be over looked. All creatures alike want to be loved. I was just going to visit, but Scott told me
he would meet me at the shelter. My
friend Michael said Roscoe was a “love bug”.
We walked in the gallery to see all the dogs in cages. Some dogs were
sleeping, some dogs were playing and
most barking to get attention. Roscoe was standing, looking around. We took him to a visit room and I fell in
love with him. We took him home that day
and he because part of our family. I was
glad to him in and felt he was a wonderful funny guy. He enjoys riding the car and we took selfies while
I drove just minutes after he left the shelter.
He loved riding in my lap and watching the other cars pass by. We also discovered he loved letting you rub your
feet on his back while you sat down. He
liked the attention. He was so smart and
super cute. And he loved being in his
new home. We enjoyed sharing our life
with him too. He would often go for a
ride in the car with his new Daddy and Papi. He oddly would ride facing
backwards and look out the back window at the world. He
often kept me company when Scott was out of town for business travel. Roscoe
also enjoyed having other dogs to live with.
I thinks Jazzy is his girlfriend.
He loved being in the flowerbeds around the pool and once or twice I would
put him in the pool. He obviously did
not like it, and would avoid getting to close if I was in the pool for a swim.
He would cut his eyes at me and quickly move out of my reach. He would always make me laugh. I don’t know
why anyone would over look such a good dog, as he was in the shelter for almost
two months. I’m glad we got him!! 
July 2015
We had to say good bye to our little Roscoe today. I have been a
mess, crying and broken hearted. We had
just come home from the store and I foolishly put some left overs on the floor
for the dogs to make room for the groceries in the fridge. Roscoe took a hamburger patty and started
eating it. He started choking and was
unable to get it back up on his own. I
saw him struggling and tried to pat him to help him, Scott quickly picked him up and manually
tried to remove the lodged meat chunk.
Roscoe was wheezing but not able to breathe. Scott was quick to start CPR and continued to
try to help him. We held him and I cried
as he slipped away. I never meant to
hurt him but my mistake of giving them leftovers is something I struggle with
now. I feel it is my fault. I told him I was sorry, and that the months
he was in our home were so special. He
little lifeless body is something I will never forget. I am thankful for Scott, he was covered in
vomit and I’m proud that he tried to save Roscoe. I will have to find a way to make peace with
this tragedy. Scott said he does not blame me, and I struggle not to blame
myself. I feel like a failure, because we
loved him and wanted Roscoe to have a happy life. He left us too soon and I feel I let him
down. Up until his death, he was the
happiest little dog and he died knowing that we loved him. I am happy that he was part of our life. Roscoe was our first baby together. He was a sweet boy. I’m sorry that it ended this way, you will be
in my heart forever. I think of you
every time I’m in the flowerbeds. Scott
and I will miss you.
Thank you to Scott for everything you do. You are so wonderful whenever I am hurting
and sad.
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