Ally...

Big Al went to Heaven today. Putting this old girl down was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Ally didn't get rapidly sick like Mia preparing us for a quick end. Big Al simply got tired and over the course of a few days gave us endless signs that she was ready to join her old pal Mia in a more restful, peaceful place. She made it to her 13'th Birthday which was a huge accomplishment and something we never would've dreamt would happen. She lasted 1 1/2 years longer than Mia...something we never saw coming. Anyone who knew her loved her for her curvaceous figure and enormous smile. Ally has seen us through five homes, three kids, two states and patiently a plethora of "foster dogs" that we tried to make a part of our family and ultimately found better suited homes for :) Ally has been with us longer than any of our children and will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Ally was the dog we got two weeks after marriage, sight unseen. The local Humane Society called to tell me they had an owner release golden retriever and did I want her? We were across the country at my cousin's wedding and they told me I had to make a decision over the phone as they couldn't hold her otherwise. They told me she had recently had a litter of 12 pups and that she still had some "baby fat" along with her "nips". I said yes... a little unsure as to what we were getting...and showed up a few days later to this obese, waddling, nips touching the ground golden retriever who looked so sad. She put her head on my lap, looked up at me with these giant eyes, smiled and I was sold.

Ten years later this old girl still has the waddle, the baby fat never really went away and the biggest smile I've ever seen on a dog. Ally's chub did give her the very best splash upon entry of the pool though...she could seriously win a splash contest!!! Over the years we did countless tests to check why she looked like she had been inflated with air and the end result was always the same...she's just a big-boned girl, no thyroid issues, just happily plump :) We will forever remember our big girl who could hold a ball in her mouth until she had lock-jaw, particularly anytime we walk into our closet :)