Good Dog Brewer

Goodbye, Brewer. (I think) You would have been 13 this month! In honor of your 13 joyful years with us, here are my 13 favorite things about you.

1. His nicknames: “Surfer dude,” for his laid-back disposition, “dairy boy,” for his love of cheese, ice cream, etc. and “Houdini” for how he escaped every tether we ever put him on (including a body harness. This confounds us to this day)

2. The way he’d run, at lightning speed, from anywhere in the house or yard at the tiny, soft pop of the cap coming off the can of whipped cream. (I still don’t know how he heard it!)

3. How he could retrieve the paper- not from the ground, but FROM THE MAILBOX! (We had to halt this trick after we started getting newspapers from the whole neighborhood.)

4. How when you commanded him to “bark,” he’d just open his mouth and “air-bark” without making any actual sound.

5. How when it snowed, he’d bark to go outside, and roll around making “puppy angels”.

6. How when there was food around, he’d just start “shaking” and putting his paw on your lap, unrequested.

7. How he’d always be in your way, picking the most inconvenient locations (example: in front of the stove while cooking thanksgiving dinner) just so he could be near you.

8. His abject fear of geese.

9. His “bear bark,” whenever a bear came near the property.

10. His total and complete discipline, knowing all hunting commands by hand, voice and whistle.

11. His status as “mayor of the neighborhood,” visiting every dog on the mountain each morning, getting treats from all the neighbors, and accompanying all the kids to the bus stop.

12. How he’d just start “talking,” making little woofs and growls if he felt like being petted or wanted some attention. As he got older, he did this from other rooms in the house to make YOU come to him to pet him. (who owns who now?)

13. His unquestioned loyalty, devotion, obedience, and love for everyone in the family.

Miss you Brew! Have fun with Buck, Otis, Maddie, and all our other furry friends in the great beyond!