04/27/2026
Today I lost my girl Betsy. If you ever had a dog, you know the love that they bring into your life. I think they teach us something about how to be good humans in a way. Always be happy when you see a loved one no matter how long a day, they may have had. Always greet them with a hug too no matter how you feel (Betsy loved to get between my legs when I came home it was her way of hugging me). When a loved one is still, be still with them and maybe snuggle a bit too. When someone needs to be cheered up, make them laugh, then give them a kiss.
There is a quote attributed to Bill Murray and it goes like this “I’m suspicious of people who don’t like dogs, but I trust a dog when it doesn’t like a person.” Whether or not he said this is up for debate but regardless of that, the quote still is true. Your dog is your best friend for their whole life (as unfairly short as it is) through thick and thin. How can’t you like an animal like that? Betsy had a good run she was 13 years, 5 months and 29 days old today and she loved me for all that time, and I loved her.
She loved a good ear scratch, but loved her a good rump rub more; she protected the house from the sand cranes in the yard. She was the official greeter to strangers at the door with her deep bark. She loved being close to her humans and they loved being close to her.
Memories of her are playing like a movie in my head as I am sure happens to everyone but the highlight of that movie for me was the swim just her and I shared on an overcast early morning in Door County in Lake Michigan probably 10 years ago. It was just her and me in the water not another human could be seen. I was wading in the water and Bets was just swimming circles around me happy as a dog could be. The water was cold but neither of us cared. If anyone asked me to describe Heaven, I would just describe that swim with Betsy; Peaceful, calm, happy, and time stood still.
I referred to Betsy as my “Pretty Girl” and I was her “Tall Guy”. She was mine and I was hers and I loved her so very much.
If you have a dog go give them a kiss and a hug because they deserve it.
