I had a good strong run today.  Despite a nagging knee, I managed to feel pretty good about speed and stamina. Got Disney looming and want to do better than Savannah.

But most of my run (and maybe the root of my success today), my thoughts were not on running but on my sister, Stacia, ….and her dog, Scout.  I remember when Stacia called me to tell me she was getting a puppy. And I still can hear her saying, “And the best part is that I will become a runner – think about it, I can run with my dog by my side.” I’m not sure how many miles Scout actually managed to go with Stacia over the years, probably preferring to watch from across the room as the treadmill motor whirled.

Now, Scout is nearly 17 years old, and has seen Stacia through her first apartment, her dating and engagement and marriage to Rob, her years of teaching elementary school, then through graduate school, and then her eventually teaching college students. Scout has run in the apple and peach orchards that Rob and Stacia have, and has been ridden, hugged, tugged, kissed, and squashed by many a young niece and nephew.  She has shed her fur in many of our houses (enough for at least another 4 dogs) and tolerated the introduction of another dog, Mac, to the house a few years ago. And her name is a constant reminder of my sister’s favorite book, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Through it all, she has always been a dog of great poise. She often casts looks around her as if to say, “I’m putting up with this stuff?  Why?”  Yet, she happily tolerates all the love and adoration that has come from Stacia, Rob, and their large group of family and friends. She carries herself with an air thick with loyalty – and fur, lots of fur. She is the reason our daughter desperately wants a dog. The reason we don’t have a dog is that dogs like Scout are a very rare breed.

Sadly, the last few weeks have made it clear that Scout will be heading for the Rainbow Bridge very soon. She has been an amazing pup and has lived a great life. And while it breaks Stacia’s and Rob’s hearts – and both their families’ hearts as well – they know she is in a lot of pain.

I feel so helpless – can’t be there to hug my sister. The best we could do was Skype last night. It helped our kids a lot – to see Stacia and Rob and get to “talk” to Scout. She is still the beautiful pup we know and love. Our kids were really quiet and sad (which was an improvement over the sobs when I read Aunt Stacia’s email to them). But I know it meant a lot to them.

So thank you Scout – for being a friend to Stacia and Rob – and to all of us.  I know we’re all a little bit better for getting to hang out with you all these years. May we all have a touch of your dignity and love and loyalty. Love you, girl.