Two and a half years ago, I happened to look on the website of the breeder we got out Australian Shepard Scout from. I don't know what made me look at the website. Sure, Scout had a lot of energy and could use a playmate, but there was no way I was ready to get another puppy then.
And there he was.
Listed at the top of the "Available" page.
A 3 year old Australian Shepard who needed a home right away and lived only a few towns away.
His name was Boomer.
My husband was in. I wasn't sure. We went to go see him and took our Scout and they got along splendidly. I still wasn't completely sure, but we said yes.
Boomer came to live with us. He was a little matted and dirty, so my husband took him to get groomed and bought him a few items we needed for him. Two days later, after playing with Scout in our backyard, he hurt the pads of his paws. He had never really played with another dog before and they were playing hard and having a great time.
Well, Boomer licked his paws because they hurt and they became infected. After a trip to the vet for medicine and powder and a collar, we joked about our "free" dog, which had already cost us hundreds in the first week.
But it was all in jest. We LOVED that boy. Boomer stole our hearts right away. He just fit right in with our family. He loved us all unconditionally, even Scout! They were best friends, right away. And Boomer took care of him. Cleaning his ears and eyes...it reminded me of Nana the dog in Peter Pan, that was a nursemaid and took care of the children. That was Boomer. Taking care of everyone...
In the morning, we'd go to each child's room together and he'd help me wake them up. With nuzzles, or kisses or jumping onto their bed! Boomer came with me to walk the kids to the bus. He let them read on him.
Boomer was so patient. He let the children pose him reading.
Boomer fell asleep on their clothes and books! when they went off to school or bed. (The pic above is posed, the one below is NOT. That's how I found him!)
When they reenacted Les Miserables, they dressed him as Javert and he actually stayed right with them.
When we played games, he was right there. Ever involved.
I had never seen a dog in cuter poses. Every one was so cute. I mean, come on. Look at that one below.
When I finished Olivia's quilt and laid it out to show her, he walked right over and sat down on it!
He was funny. He would eat anything. He loved mushroom stems (hence his nickname of Boomer Schroomer) He would try anything. Watermelon. Kale! He loved Kale!
And his butt wiggle was priceless. He didn't have a tail, but he wiggled it like nothing I'd ever seen.
And I will never be able to hear Adele's song and not here "Boomer has it" (no longer Rumor) as he was always sneaking off with something. Hey, where did that go? Boomer has it!
We had friends that were afraid of dogs that after meeting Boomer, were letting him lick their face. He would come over and wiggle his rear end and they would be hooked.
He had a way. Everyone loved Boomer.
He made our family complete.
And today, we are left with a hole in our hearts as our dear boy passed on. He was diagnosed with cancer in January and given 6 weeks to live. Boomer gave it his best and stayed 6 months longer with us. He lived on love that dog. And we were blessed for every moment we had with him.
I am sitting here, crying me eyes out. Boomer was the most loving and attentive dog. I loved when he greeted me at the door of your house with hugs and kisses and his butt wiggles. I loved snuggling and cuddling with him as we watched movies on the floor of your den. I'm so glad I got to see him and spend time with on Saturday and Sunday. I'm so proud that I got to be Boomer's Aunt Amy and that he was my fur-nephew/neph-dog. He will always live on in my heart. I'm so thankful that you brought him into my life. I hope he's resting peacefully now and I know he will be watching over you, M, MAP, LMO, and Scout. I can't wait to give you a super big hug today. I love you all so very much.
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