I cannot express in words how much we miss our Willie. He lived a full life of 14 years, and I was lucky to have had him by side for 13 of those years. I adopted him in 2011 from the Lied shelter. He was waiting in the very last building, and looked rough with matted white hair that made him look like a mop. I don’t remember what told me that he was the one, but I made a great decision that day and took him home with me.
We had quite the journey together. At the time I met Willie, I was struggling through college and my personal life was spiraling. Willie was by my side when I hit my rock bottom, and he helped me climb back out of the hole I was in, to where I was able to finish my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, and start a career. My job was a stressful one with long hours, so coming home to Willie every day being so excited to see me was always a nice pick me up. I remember winding down the days by watching tv with my hand resting on Willie. What a nice way to end a long day.
Willie was also a big part in helping me start a family. After my second date with my now wife, Katy, for some reason I asked her if she wanted to watch Willie the next day while I was at work. It seemed like an odd request looking back, but I know now that it was the thing I ever did. Willie immediately attached himself to Katy and the three of us became inseparable.
Willie was with us through so many life milestones that it will be impossible to forget him. He saw us get married, have two kids, and buy a house. We have so many wonderful memories of him, but yet his absence is so profound and so painful right now. I used to look forward to my kids going to bed so I could finally have a break and some personal time. Now I dread that time, because it was also my Wille time, where we could cuddle on the couch and watch a game or a new show, but now we just sit down and miss him. Although we are so sad that Willie’s gone, he was telling us it was his time and we are so grateful that we had such a great dog in our lives for such a long time.
07/04/2010 – 09/18/2024
Kirk Sunbury
Las Vegas, NV