My sweet Brady. My friend of 13 years... Day in and day out. Through graduate school in Kentucky, moving to Austin, meeting and marrying my husband, having a baby, then another baby, changing careers, buying houses, and all of the ups, downs, and adventures of life the last 13 years.
The dog that followed me around the house constantly the last few months... always wanting to be where I was. The dog who chose to sleep on the rug in my office because it was next to me... even though it was not nearly as comfortable as his bed in the room next door - but because it was close to me. Because turns out - I was his "person."
I don't think I honestly realized how much of a "baby" (or my "person") that he was to me until last Thursday when I got the news that I had mere days left with him by my side. By my husband's side. By my children's side. In our home. In our space. In this world.
It will definitely take me a few days or weeks to put this story together... but for now I can rest in the fact that he is in no more pain, no more suffering, and that he died peacefully in my arms today. It truly was a beautiful way to go out. I owed him that... he was my angel for 13 years. The least I could do was usher him out to become an angel on the other side. He will be buried at my childhood home (acreage) in Iowa, and that is something so special to me.
If I have ever been reminded of the importance of photography, it has been through the last few days. I have collected the most amazing photos, memories, laughter, tears, and things we will never forget about our last few days with this amazing friend. And I can't wait for the emptiness to wear off a little bit and to dig in and make the most amazing photo book documenting his life for each of my children (and myself too) for us to have always.
Dogs really are a man's best friend. I will forever miss and cherish my handsome boy.
