Flashback Friday - Eileen

So last week I did a post to tribute Brock, but the next sweet baby in our lives was Eileen.  I grew up always having a pet, either a cat or a dog, mostly both, so when Brock passed away, I knew the house would only feel lonely until we welcomed another furbaby into our family.  We contacted LBR and started the process to adopt a Boxer in need of his or her forever home.  We met Eileen and I was instantly in love.

She came hopping in our house like she owned the place, even jumped up on the couch like she belonged there. She spent the next nearly 2 and a half years chilling on the couch. She was crazy rotten and madly in love with her Daddy.  She loved Mike and only put up with me because I fed her and helped get her fat butt in the bed. 

She had the sweetest disposition of any dog I've ever met. She loved everyone and was always so kind and gentle. I think the only inappropriate love she ever had was for cats and I honestly think she would have hurt one had she gotten the chance.  She wouldn't have meant to of course, but sometimes excitement for the unknown can bring out the worst in people. :)

While we don't know all of her backstory, we assume she was a mother at some point in her life as she was extremely maternal.  I really think if we would have let her in the box, she would have nursed those ducklings.  One Sunday afternoon, she got up on the couch next to me and snuggled up as close as she could, her head in my lap. She had been with us for over 3 months and had never insisted to be this close to me (Mike was always her favorite). Mike smiled and said "She's telling me that you're pregnant." Sure enough, a few days later, we found out that we were pregnant with Henry. She spent the next 8 months following every move I made and was my sidekick when I went on bedrest. She herded me like sheep, watching me constantly.

This is a video of when we brought Henry home for the first time. Ignore the hokey Mama voice, wish I could mute myself sometimes. Anyway, she was very interested in him and couldn't give him enough kisses. There were several times that first week or two we had to gently scold her and remind her that he was not to be bathed every hour.

 

 

Mama Bear, Sister

Eileen loved Henry from the very first day and in true mother form, she followed close by those first few days, making sure we were taking care of her baby.  If she heard him cry on the monitor, she was the first to jump up and head towards his room.  She loved getting on the floor to play with Henry and was always very patient with him.  I'm sad that Henry won't remember her, but I cherish the videos, pictures and memories we have of her.  I think of her every time I hear Dexys Midnight Runners "Come on Eileen" and "She's a Lady" by Tom Jones.  That one may seem random, but Mike always sang it after Eileen belched or farted. She was a gassy, nasty thing!

Lean Butt Bean Butt

Dumb Face

We miss you sweet lady!