Roper

Tuesday was a hard day. We had to put my beloved yellow lab, Roper, to sleep. He had cancer and he was continuing to get worse. Ricky and I didn't want him to suffer any longer so we made the difficult decision. Roper came home at 6 weeks old in August 2001 with me and Stephen when I was three months pregnant with Kalyn nine years ago (wow...just realized the date is almost the same as when he joined and left our family). We had just suddenly lost our first lab, Lacy, three months earlier and we were so excited to have another lab join our family. At the same time we also brought home a kitten named Sarge. Roper and Sarge were the same age and became quick friends. Roper was always very lovable and learned quick. I was able to teach him several signs such as sit, lay down, and stay. He was very loyal and protective of me and Kalyn once she was born. Kalyn could lay on him, crawl all over him, or do whatever she liked with him. He was the best buddy for her and would lick her face all the time which she loved.

Before Sheldon was born, we got Roper a mate, a chocolate lab named Lady. He was very protective of his Lady and they did everything together...with Sarge and Kalyn in tow! When Sheldon was born, Roper was just the same as he was with Kalyn...very patient and lovable. I felt safer staying home alone because I knew Roper was inside the house with me and would let me know if something was up. He would often sleep beside me and know how to wake me up with his wet nose nudging and big paws if he needed to go outside...he was smart!

As our family dynamic changed several years ago Roper was right there with me during the hardest time of my life. He gave me his shoulder to cry on many times and would sleep on the bed with me...his presence always made me feel better and more protected. We had a special bond more than ever before. When Ricky and I married and moved to his place out in the country, Roper was in heaven. He loved being outside exploring, swimming in the tanks, and eating all our chickens! :o) He did get in quite a bit of trouble, but we always forgave him quickly because that is what labs do...chase and eat birds unless they are well trained not to do so! Roper also loved following Ricky around the place as he was on the 4-wheeler or the tractor. They became buddies! When Kalyn started Kindergarten soon after we moved out here, Sheldon started to play with Roper more outside...they had lots of fun together. He became his best friend. Roper's life out here in the last four years was wonderful and I am so glad he was able to experience country life even though it was shorter than I had hoped for him.

Thank you, my good boy, for being my friend and for being there during all the moments in my life. I will never forget you and I will miss you more than you will ever know.