June 4, 2018 with grand daughter #3. She loved Parker never got enough of playing with him.
We just didn't see it coming. I asked the vet if Parker had been in pain. He replied that he had to be. But Parker never showed it. He was happy, bouncy, full to the brim with life and loving every minute of it. On Sunday, July 8, 2018 we butchered chickens and Parker was right there, catching chicken guts as I tossed them in the air to him. He sure did love chicken guts and we are glad that he had that day to enjoy himself to the fullest. On Monday and Tuesday, he was fine. Wednesday evening, he was definitely sick, but we didn't know what it was. Thursday morning we were at the vet's office, Thursday night he was dead. We just didn't know, he never told us and we had no idea he was so ill. Friday we picked him up for burial. Our dear friend and neighbor Robert, came over and dug Parker's grave, then came back and helped us bury him.
We are sorely missing our friend, our boon companion, our love, our best buddy. When we got home with him, Trip walked around the truck, nose in the air. We dropped the tailgate and Trip jumped in the back of the truck. BJ opened the bag and let Trip see Parker's face. Trip carefully sniffed all around the bag, then sniffed Parker's face. He jumped down. We cried some more at the sadness of it all, stroking Parker's face and saying our goodbyes.
He was only 7 years old. It wasn't his time. It just isn't right that he should be struck down in the prime of his life. He gave so much of himself to everyone. He had more love in his heart than any dog I have ever seen or had. All he wanted was to be close to us. Our approval, affection and love is what he lived for.
This picture was taken in March. I was sitting in the dirt, working on the garden fence. Parker was helping by laying as close to me as he could get. I took this picture of the love he expressed in his eyes, what ever did I do to deserve such love and devotion?
