Over fifteen years ago, I welcomed an adorable, spunky ball of fluff into my life. Based upon her fluffy demeanor, I, without doubt, named her Teddie Bear. She was my first puppy ever. I had dogs growing up, but Teddie was my first "baby". However, from day one, she had several "Mommies".
I recall getting her in October of 1998, the fall after I graduated college. I was just about to purchase my first house/condo and I was working at UnitedHealthCare. Due to my long working days, my mom helped dog-sit Teddie during the day she wouldn't be all by herself for more than ten hours a day. It was a perfect arrangement. Teddie played with the other family dogs, snuggled with my mom and in return, my puppy was instantly potty trained.
A couple of months later, a new puppy (Pooh Bear) came to live at our house. By then Teddie was the matriarch of the house. She taught Pooh the ropes. They were an adorable duo, as long as Pooh allowed Teddie to rule the roost. This was even the case, when we added Capone to the mix in 2004. Although Capone didn't quite allow Teddie to be the queen of the kingdom without a fight. They did co-exist happily for several years. However, in 2009, Teddie and Capone were fighting on a daily basis. There may have been some alpha-dog issues occurring and neither were going to give in. So, after much discussion and some tears by me, I decided it would be better if Teddie went to live with Grandma Micky. I was very sad to have her leave, but it was one of the best decisions I had ever made.
Teddie was so happy at Grandma Micky's. She was spoiled rotten and treated like a Princess. Micky's dog, Popcorn, accepted her with open arms. Grandma Micky had another baby to take care of. It was the perfect arrangement. I am so glad that Teddie lived her last five years with a woman who loved her so deeply and warmly.
Teddie passed away on Thursday, February 6th due to old age and blindness. She was just shy of her sixteenth birthday, which she would have been in May. As I think back through out the years, Teddie was around for all of the big chapters of my life -- job changes, house purchases, marriages, divorce, births and deaths. She was around for me during many of these major life events. And each time, I knew that she would jump into my arms to give me a hug or cuddle up with me on the couch.
I will miss you, Teddie Bear. I am so grateful that you brightened so many lives. You will always be my first "baby".
I recall getting her in October of 1998, the fall after I graduated college. I was just about to purchase my first house/condo and I was working at UnitedHealthCare. Due to my long working days, my mom helped dog-sit Teddie during the day she wouldn't be all by herself for more than ten hours a day. It was a perfect arrangement. Teddie played with the other family dogs, snuggled with my mom and in return, my puppy was instantly potty trained.
A couple of months later, a new puppy (Pooh Bear) came to live at our house. By then Teddie was the matriarch of the house. She taught Pooh the ropes. They were an adorable duo, as long as Pooh allowed Teddie to rule the roost. This was even the case, when we added Capone to the mix in 2004. Although Capone didn't quite allow Teddie to be the queen of the kingdom without a fight. They did co-exist happily for several years. However, in 2009, Teddie and Capone were fighting on a daily basis. There may have been some alpha-dog issues occurring and neither were going to give in. So, after much discussion and some tears by me, I decided it would be better if Teddie went to live with Grandma Micky. I was very sad to have her leave, but it was one of the best decisions I had ever made.
Teddie was so happy at Grandma Micky's. She was spoiled rotten and treated like a Princess. Micky's dog, Popcorn, accepted her with open arms. Grandma Micky had another baby to take care of. It was the perfect arrangement. I am so glad that Teddie lived her last five years with a woman who loved her so deeply and warmly.
Teddie passed away on Thursday, February 6th due to old age and blindness. She was just shy of her sixteenth birthday, which she would have been in May. As I think back through out the years, Teddie was around for all of the big chapters of my life -- job changes, house purchases, marriages, divorce, births and deaths. She was around for me during many of these major life events. And each time, I knew that she would jump into my arms to give me a hug or cuddle up with me on the couch.
I will miss you, Teddie Bear. I am so grateful that you brightened so many lives. You will always be my first "baby".
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