Normally a man of few words

My Dad, usually a man of few words, sent the following in an email to my extended family.

"Sunday evening Jennifer called to advise that they had just come home from having their dog Cady put to sleep. Aparently she was fine in the morning, Jen went to the movies and Curt watched football, a normal Sunday. When she got home Curt said he couldn't get Cady up and she felt cold. He carried her to the car and they took her to the animal hospital. It appears that something, probably a mass caused internal bleeding and her spleen ruptured.

Jen first met Cady a busted drug dealers puppy in Leesburg, Fl. when she was working as a reporter. The drug dealer was going to jail and the puppy was to be destroyed. Jen picked her up and took her home. The newspaper career ended shortly and Jen and our adopted grandaughter, at that time the only foreseeable hope for a grandchild moved back to Tampa. Cady and Bruno grew up together with her constantly bullying him until he got big enough that she couldn't knock him down easily. Cady never met a mud puddle or a water hose that she didn't like. At that time heavy rain would cause a flooding problem in our back yard and she loved to roll in it. Cady was her own boss. When she went out in the yard she came back when she was ready not when you called her.Cady wasn't allowed in the pool but that didn't stop her from putting both front feet in and dunking her whole head under to retrieve a tennis ball. I still have a picture somewhere of Curt walking Cady on a retractable leash with her swimming in a lake.

Jen decided to move to DC and we didn't worry too much because we felt she was well protected by Cady.God help the thief that dared to enter that apartment.

Frank later joined his sister in DC and told us about coming home one night to find that Cady had eaten his stick deoderent. Danni also spent some time in DC and told about a godfather moment sleeping on a matress on the floor and waking up to find that Cady had taken a rather large dump on the floor next to her head. I guess that's better that a horses head. Cady listened to almost no one. She and I got along because I trusted her and she knew I would beat the crap out of her. She always met me with a wagging tail and a happy face. Taking Cady for a walk was a real trip The dog had the neck and shoulders of a bull and I would always come back with one arm several inches longer than the other. She didn't believe in stopping on her walks and would poop and pee while in motion. She was a great traveler and went everywhere in the car with Jen.BC( Before Curt) Cady always took the front seat But Curt managed to bribe his way in and spoil her with treats and petting. She also mellowed and learned to be gentle with my mother as she got sick.But she was always there for the food that Grandma gave her.

Pets affect us as a part of the family and Cady will be missed.

Jen has asked not to be called for a few days.

We have offered Cady a spot in the back yard next to Snuffy, Gonzo and Muffy."

And then the tears started flowing again...