Today’s post isn’t about traveling–it’s about staying home. It’s about our family, a family that is missing an important member today, our chocolate lab Indy. And, while I may be crying as I write, it’s not a sad post; it’s a remembrance of the joy this special dog brought to our lives.
Today marks the anniversary of the day we adopted our sweet puppy Indiana, who we lost in May. I’ll write more about that day sometime if I can ever do it without crying.
As they say, the best things in life aren’t planned, and we really didn’t plan to get a puppy that year. We had a five-year old Labradoodle and weren’t even looking for another dog when a former student posted the most adorable photos of her dog’s puppies on her Facebook page. Something about those babies struck me, and I convinced Dennis to go look at them the next morning. Of course, we came home with one. It was the best $50 we ever spent.
How She Got Her Name
All of our dogs for the past eighteen years have been named for states. It started with Montana, our golden retriever back in 2000, and continued with Alabama in 2008. We needed a state name to continue the tradition, and Miss Indiana Jones Cleland was what we came up with. It was Independence Day 2015, and Indy worked for both Indiana and Independence.
Teething
It wasn’t always easy being Indy’s mom. She chewed. No, really, she CHEWED. Indy chewed EVERYTHING. She chewed the kitchen wall. She chewed through the baby gate in two different places so that she could squeeze her little body through to get into the living room. Indy chewed socks, underwear, jeans, shorts, pens…anything she could find, actually. You know those pictures with a pillow and the dog captioned “I could have been killed; it just exploded!” Well, that really did happen at our house.
Indy even chewed our brand-new sofa. It was so bad that we had to cover it with a blanket whenever someone came to visit. And shoes? In her first year of life, Indy probably chewed at least 20 pairs of shoes–always mine, never Dennis’s. One time, Meghan left a disposable razor on the shower bench while she was visiting for the weekend. Yep, Indy ate that too.
It’s not like the dog didn’t have a million toys and bones. I ordered Bark Boxes for Indy. Allie hates toys and wouldn’t be caught dead playing with one. But Indy…she loved her toys. Just this week I threw out an entire milk crate full–and that’s just what was on the back porch.
If Indy wanted your attention, she made sure you knew it. Often, I couldn’t even grade papers when she was around.
Bath time was also a problem. No matter where you were, Indy wanted to be right there with you. Yes, this really is my dog.
Babies
Indy also loved her babies. For the time she first met J.R., they were inseparable. You might think it was because he fed her, but back then he wasn’t even old enough for baby food. You see, Indy was only two and a half weeks younger than J.R. They were supposed to grow up together. As it turned out, J.R. went to his first funeral instead. When I miss Indy, J.R. always reminds me that “Indy’s in the dirt.” I know, Buddy, I know.”
Indy’s Legacy
Indy loved us, and we loved her. While her life was much shorter than I hoped, she knew she was loved. Indy had a mom and dad who loved her, toys to play with, babies to love, and a big yard to run around in. She also had a warm bed that she could wiggle her way into every night, even if there was only a six inch strip available.
Indy taught each of our babies lessons about life. They learned how to share with Indy. They learned about friendship from her, and they learned about unconditional love.
Will we get another dog? There’s a lot to think about. Right away, my answer was no, but a few weeks later, it was yes. Now, it’s maybe someday. I always told Indy that she was my last dog. I thought I’d have her until about the time I retired. Indy left big shoes to fill–her legacy of love is unparalleled. If we get another dog, will she love the kids as much as Indy? Will she play with them, kiss them, be their shadow?
No other dog can replace our Indiana, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
For more about our family, click here. If you have chocolate lab puppies for sale, contact us next year. Maybe by then we’ll be ready to open our hearts up again.
Some dogs become huge parts of our family and are always in our hearts. So sorry for the loss, what a beautiful remembrance post
She was wonderful, a true companion, a friend, a family member. It is always hard to say good bye. As for getting another dog – each person has unique story and you never can tell
She was so cute. Pray for her. I too when I was very young lost Jacky my Alsatian and I keep crying for days together. After that shock I never adopted a dog ever.
What a lovely post and create tribute. Dogs play such a big part of a family’s life. I had a dog growing up and when he passed, it was a huge loss. Your photos are gorgeous, she must have been very loved.
Great share. Even though I’m not animal lover but I always cherish the bond that exist between the pet owner and the pet.
Glad you have and can still relate to the fond memories you had with yours.
Indy looks so super cute in the photos! I can feel how much you and the kids miss her. We had a dog too back then I was toddler so we had to let him go due to the fact I would eat his fallen hair from the floor. I dont remember about him much but I remember my grandma telling me that he would sleep on the edge of the bed so that I wouldnt fall off. We still have his photos. This post reminded me of him. 🙂
Such a beautiful tribute to Indy. It’s so hard losing our loved little doggies – we aren’t ready for another dog 18 months on from our Toffee dying. I loved reading about your gorgeous Indy and seeing the photos. Lovely.
What a sweet post! I know four legged friends are part of the family!
What An Amazing Tribute. Dogs are everybody best friends. I personally feel a family is not complete without a dog, but that’s because i grew up with 6 dogs in the house. And i loved it.
I just took a picture of my cat being a jerk right before sitting down to read this, Tracy. He had stolen my desk chair and I had to take a break and wait for him to move. I can’t pick him up with a brand new tattoo on my arm. So I was stuck taking a picture to document my annoyance and his cuteness. I must admit that he looked pretty proud of himself that he was keeping me from working. It is so interesting how pets react to us and how much they really impact our lives. Your Indie was gorgeous and obviously had a huge heart. I’m like you, even on the worst day, with Tigger around, it isn’t so bad.
Oh, Tracy, this post had me mopping up tears. Indy was such a beautiful dog and she must have left a huge gaping hole in your lives. We lost our fox red labrador two and a half years ago and we haven’t been able to get another dog. Like Indy, he’s irreplaceable. But also like Indy, we have some amazing memories. We also had an exploding cushion from our sofa!! He looked so happy surrounded by the white fluff.
Thank you for sharing your lovely memories of Indy.
This one tears at the heart strings. We are a rescue dog family and currently have four dogs (of which three were rescues). Pets enrich our lives in so many ways on a daily basis. They make even the worst day seem ok. Indy was lucky to have you guys and you were lucky to have Indy! Dogs simply rule and it’s unfortunate that they can’t live forever. I joke with my wife that we seem to like dogs more than people at times.
Aw what a beautiful dog. It’s crazy how much of an impact a dog can have on a family. I had an incredible golden growing up & we still talk about him as if he is still alive. They are just so special
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
A nice story, I can feel that. Me and my husband are animal lovers too. So sad to loss them. We loss our lovely bird last Desember, an Oriole yellow bird which already with us 7 years. It name is Cepo. I am so sorry fir your loss.
What a wonderful way to remember and celebrate Indy! I’m sorry about his passing.
Sounds like Indy was a wonderful part of your family and I am so sorry for your loss!
Indy was a special part of your family Tracy. It’s okay to be sad and to cry, I am so sorry for your loss.
Such a beautiful pup! We recently added a puppy to our family and are excited to share our lives with her!
I can only imagine how you all felt when y’all lost Indy 🙁 Indy was an amazing and beautiful dog! I hope to get a family dog within the next year 💕
I am sorry about Indy, it is amazing all the ways a animal and pet can touch our lives and truly enrich it. I know she is deeply missed.
So cute as a puppy!! WOW they grow up so fast!
I’m so sorry about your loss. All animals are apart of your family the moment you bring them home.
It’s crazy how easily we get attached to pets! They really become an important part of families! Indy was so cute (and I love that you gave her such a meaningful name)! I love your approach at writing this post (not a sad post but one to help remember). Keep your puppy in your heart! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I couldn’t imagine loosing your dog. It was funny that it looked like Indy wanted to grade papers for you.
The love I have for dogs, my can’t be complete without one. They give us so much good memories!
A heart warming story about Indy. Now that got me reminiscing our dog Boomer.
She was beautiful. Such a heartfelt post..:)
Wow, such a cute dog & the story is really great. Thanks!
A soul has never truly been loved unless loved by a four legged fur ball
such a nice post. Never thought about posting a remembrance blog post but amazing idea.
This touches my heart. My first pet was a dog and she was the most beautiful that ever happened during my childhood.
I adore dogs so much. So much more than human (kidding!) but they’re certainyl the angels on Earth.
A wonderful and enduring tale about your dog. I had a lab too and it chewed through everything, even chewed the wall. We lost our dog unexpected but we cherished the love we shared with her.
Dogs are so lovable. I lost my pet GSD two months ago and I can definitely relate to this. Thank God mine left kids to replace her-I miss kiki
Your dog looks adorable I have a Labrador dog his name is Brook 🙂
I’m so sorry for your loss, but glad that you experienced love while you had her.
She chewed the kitchen door? Relatable!! I think labs might be half-goat. She sounds so sweet, what a lovely addition to your life, even for a short time.
Emotional read on love being shared between Indy,your adorable dog, and your family.
Indy🐶So cute! I too have a dog, he’s Jason a Labrador and just like Marley! If you’ve seen the movie Marley & Me you’d know how notorious Jason would be!
Heartwarming story. Thank you for sharing. Indiana indeed was a special companion and no one can replace her.
Seems like Indy was destined to be with you guys.
As per my experience pets are more trustworthy than human being .A touching memory shared by you make me emotional.
Cute post…i love my four legged family member.
What a gorgeous dog! We have an older Yorkie whom is not doing well, she will be missed when she is gone.
WOW!!! What a wonderful tribute to Indy (a family member)!! I have to say, I also connected with your story because I grew up in Ohio – a true buckeye fan!! Such a buckeye fan, my family named our Goldendoodle “Buckeye” and we live in Alaska! LOL Maybe Alaska would be a great name for your next family pet. I know Indy will always hold a special place in your hearts. RIP Indy – you are loved!!
I love your story about Indy. What a beautiful dog. Sometimes these beautiful creatures can be a lot of work and test our limits. I have a Husky mix who is just beautiful and very loving and sweet. Gratefully she has never been destructive. She has always played with her toys without destroying them and has never destroyed any of my personal property. But she has health problems and is “a lot” of work. But she is the best dog I have ever had!
I see by your story & pictures Indy liked to really give it 100 percent of her enthusiasm while playing around the house. But the one thing I also see is the love she gave those little ones. The lessons they learned from her they will carry with them for their entire lives as will you. So sorry for your loss and I know Indy will continue to bring your family love and joy through the memories she left you with. Hugs!