R.I.P Stitchy

Our hearts are broken over the loss of sweet Stitchy, Brian's dog of 5 plus years. After returning from our weekend in Show Low for 4th of July, Brian's parents came home to a horrifying sight of Stitch who appeared to have been the victim or gotten in the middle of a dog fight. There was a new dog there for the weekend, Brian's sister's dog and we have no idea what happened but assume that adding one more to the mix didn't go so well. Stitch spent the last few years of her life with these dogs and we just don't understand but she did like to get in the middle of fights and try to mediate. This time it cost her life. She was past the point of saving. Brian's dad had the dreaded job of putting her down in this awful heat. It wasn't easy for him. He is close to these dogs too. I can't imagine being in his shoes. He had the hardest part in all of this. We appreciate his courage so Stitch didn't have to suffer anymore. We would have done anything in our power to be there for her and save her but it just wasn't meant to be and was out of our hands. Brian got Stitch as a puppy about a year or so before we ever started dating. She and him werer two peas in a pod. They meant everything to eachother and since Brian was single she was the lady he came home to every night. They slept together, snuggled, and were there for eachother always. When I came along I fell in love with Stitch, You can't help it, she is just a pure sweet dog. She has the cutest little face, squiggly tail and cute little waddle when she walks. I rememver whenever I was over there she would cuddle with us or be in Brian's closet all snuggled up in his clothes. When he would come home from work, she'd be waiting for him, all snuggled up in his clothes as if it helped her feel closer to him while he was away and then would come right to him. When we got married we couldn't have a dog at our place so Brian's parents gladly took her in. We tried to sneak her but it wasn't working out. So Brian's parents adopted her and made her part of their dog family with the other three they already had. It was hard for Brian but we knew it would be the best situation for her and just wanted the best for her. She was in good hands there and we could come see her whenever we wanted. And when we lived there for 10 months, we got to se her every day for that time! Stitch had a great life there. Brian's mom has a weakness for gogs. She loves all of hers and feeds them 3 course meals every day and lets them be in the house and do pretty much what they want. It's the life I'd want if I were a dog. We are heart broken...sad, horrified and regret that she is gone. The day we found out was horrible...so shocking, horrifying and we just felt our hearts in our stomachs. The first few days were awful. None of us could stop thinking about it throughout the day and lose it. Then you would think each day gets easier but it doesn't...it gets harder. Each day becomes more and more real that she's gone and not coming back. I was avoiding going over to B's parents for a bit cuz I didn't want to face reality and see the house without her there and runing up to Brian or Annie. Brian and his mom, my heart goes out to them the most at this time. They were the closest to her and are having the hardest time. Anaston loved Stitch to death, from the time she was a baby and is the reason she loves dogs. Stotch was always her first and favorite, by far. They have so many memories together as you can see pictures and we have video too, thank goodness. She still has no idea what has happened and doesnt get it but as time goes on and she continues to not see her and we keep telling her how she got sick and had to go bye bye to live with Jesus in heaven, it will start to make sense, I think. It is a plus that she is too young to understand because if she did understand I just know it would tear her world apart. It breaks my heart each day to hear Annie talking about going to Grandma's and the first thing she mentions is that she will see Stitchy. She just has no idea. Stitch is one of her main highlights of going to Grandma and Papa's and I know it was for Brian and I too. It was amazing how Stitch would just let Annie or anyone really just tug and tug at her and not seem to mind. We are missing the little things every day...Annie sneaking to feed Stitchy all her food or treats, the sound of her long nails on the tile floor, seeing her laying there on the arm of the couch downstairs, going into the bathroom to turn on the bath faucet after she climbs in there to give you her cue that she wants a drink, running up to Brian or his mom whenever they walked in the door, snuggling with her, seeing all the hair she would shed left behind on the couch and floor, her sour butt(ha ha), how she had to sleep in Brian's parents room every night and loved to snuggle on their bed or in their closet in their clothes, etc....the list goes on. It's so depressing to watch how the other dogs are acting. You can tell they are totally acting different and realize what's happened and are missing Stitch. They mope areound and are acting very different, it's so sad. They lost a part of their family. They speny every second with her for the last three years. I'll never forget how much this has affected Brian. Him seeing her collar on the counter the day it happened, how he rushed over there after work so he could go out to her grave in Papa's garden and tell her goodbye, how she's not there to greet him at the door, etc. Our hearts ache every day and just when we think we"re doing better, we break down. It will take time...alot of time, but we will never forget Stitch and she could never be replaced. She had so many medical issues this last year, I would like to think it was her time to go in some weird way. I'm happy she is in the best place she could be, watching over us. I'd like to think she's part of our eternal family. Goodbye for now, Stitch. Here's to a wonderful, sweet dog and companion. Thank you for all the many, wonderful memories! We sure miss you.