by Kelly Williams
I got Freddie Louise when I was just 19, she was 3mos. We grew up together. Her main interest was eating, when she was younger though she loved to play as well. I miss when she used to sit on the couch with her bottom on the cushion and her legs draped over the back watching out the window for me to come home. She always insisted on sleeping with me and when it was cold she liked to have her body under the covers. As she grew older, she got a little grouchier especially around other dogs, but never around me. She lost her bark about a year ago. I sure missed that. She'd bark everyday when I got home and even though I know she looked at me as I was a bag of food, I think she also loved me. She wasn't able to jump on the bed anymore so I got some egg cushions and put some sheets on them so she had a comfortable bed in two rooms of the house. She adapted quite well. She ended up getting a "tilta head" when she lost her bark, but that didn't stop her. She still continued to love her food. That dog had a nose like you wouldn't believe. She'd be in a room in the back of the house and if you're making any kind of food you'd hear that familiar tippy tap of her nails hitting the hardwood floors. As she grew older especially this last year she got to where she'd get up in the middle of the night 2 times sometimes more. I wasn't crazy about this, but I accepted it as I'd do anything for her. I've been so very blessed to have this dog in my life. We've been through so much, she's seen me through a lot of tears. I'm so thankful that it was a pretty quick exit for her, and I was able to pull down her eyes as since she got older the were hidden in her eyelids. So I pulled them down and looked right into her soulful brown eyes and she knew I was there. I then put her head against my stomach and soon she was asleep. It's so very painful and I've been worried about this day for 14 years. I know it was her time though even though she still tried her best it was tough on her these last years. She was truly the best though. I hope she knew how much I truly loved her and will always love her. I'm now left with just pictures surrounding me, but no basset. I recently got another dog before this happened so I do have him and my beloved cat for comfort, but there's still a huge void because I can't just look over and see her sleeping on her bed or hear her pacing about the kitchen wondering "where's dinner". God please watch over her for me until I can see her again. I love you Fred, and I always will. Thank you so much for giving me your heart.