The Best Dog
My latest weekly opinion is actually a fact. The opinion is whether or not this is a tribute worthy of the best dog in the world.
It’s Mother’s Day Eve, so it feels appropriate to write about my first child. 11+ years sounds like a long time, but it wasn’t enough.
On Wednesday 5 February we said goodbye to the best dog in the world. (Seriously, multiple people said he was the best. That’s why it’s a fact.) Langley was truly extra special and I feel lucky that we got to be his family.
I actually started this entry soon after that hardest goodbye, but ultimately I decided to wait to post it until it was perfect. Plus, it was too emotional to discuss. The words will never be perfect, but I still wanted to give him a somewhat proper celebration.
Less than six months after we married, C and I were separated for the summer due to his overseas assignment. I spent it working, making friends in our new neighborhood, and exploring dog adoption websites. After choosing Virginia German Shepherd Rescue, I started the process to get us approved as adopters.
When C was back stateside, things moved fast. I found Zach on VGSR’s website.
C and I attended an adoption event in early October to meet him in person (or in dog). We walked to the rescue’s display at the back of the store, strategically planting ourselves to watch the front door for Zach’s arrival.
“I think that’s him,” I whispered, as we watched a new arrival saunter through the front door. I watched him walk down the aisle, and I already wanted to take him home. When Zach and his foster mother reached the back, we said hello and introduced ourselves. In what would become his signature pose, this precious pup planted himself on my shoes and silently demanded belly rubs.
My excitement deflated when we learned he was tentatively going to another family. They were interested but not ready to commit. We, as you can see above, were ready to commit. A few days later, we were awarded the privilege of being Langley’s furever family. And we are forever grateful that his foster mother chose us.
One week after this photo was taken, we drove to his foster family’s house to pick him up. He was playing outside with his foster brother when we arrived, so C and I settled at the kitchen table. When the front door opened, Langley (as we’d since learned he was being called in lieu of Zach) burst through, galloped down the hallway and bounded into my lap. He licked my face (which, interestingly, he didn’t do often other than that special day). I cried happy tears. This cycle continued as the humans in the room tried to get hold of our emotions. “He knows that’s his mommy!” said his foster mother. That is one of my most vivid, treasured memories. No matter how much side eye I received over the next 11+ years (and there was a lot), he loved me. And we loved him.
The following summer, I found out I was pregnant with S. I had gotten the positive pregnancy test one morning before work, but I decided not to tell C because I didn’t want to share exciting news and then have to rush off to work. But I had to tell someone, so while C was still upstairs getting ready for his own workday, I crouched next to Langley’s crate and whispered, “You’re going to be a big brother.”
That’s right - I told him first. Chin tucked down and eyes raised high, he said nothing. Later that day, my normally quiet husband wouldn’t stop chatting when he got home from work. Finally, he paused. Kneeling down, I hugged Langley and looked up at C. “Aren’t we cute…all three of us?” C’s eyes narrowed. And widened. “Wait, what?” Hugs all around - including the dog who was an integral part of our special news.
Langley was meant to be a big brother. One of his best attributes was how good he was with kids. (Before S was born, one of the neighbor kids used to knock on our door to ask if Langley could come out and play.)
When Langley became a big brother again almost four years later, he remained gentle and observant.
Fast forwarding another almost four years, as I explained in a previous post, Langley had an easy trip to Germany. He settled in quickly.
We found the most wonderful (another opinion that’s actually a fact) pet sitting company. The owners cared for him like he was their own and made it possible for us to enjoy travel opportunities knowing Langley was being loved. When he eventually experienced health challenges, they offered to help with his care and appointments.
Even as his health declined, Langley usually was a good sport on trips to the vet clinic because the staff adored him (remember, he was the best). On our first visit and most of them thereafter, they spoke to me in English and to him in German. He looked up at them with solemn eyes as if he was absorbing every word they said. (As smart as he was, he really probably did.)
I know I’m skipping so much, but it would take me a long time to properly document 136 months with the best dog ever. Maybe I’ll share more over time, but I had to at least start here. For now, I'll conclude with some more of my favorite Langley photos.
Such a lovely post!
Awww such a lovely tribute to the best boy! Langley was such a sweet dog and so good with the kids. He was just as lucky to have you all as you were to have him. ❤️