Today I said goodbye to my best friend.
Given to me as a gift the summer before my Senior year of college, Foster, named after the Australian beer, changed my life.
Because of my him I met girls when I was single, made friends when I was lonely, made me laugh when I was down, and most importantly, he helped me meet my wife. Although I think the hidden biscuits in her pocket helped seal that deal. Smart move.
A few interesting stats about our relationship:
- He lived 13 happy years, which is 91 in human years
- We lived in 9 different places in 3 different states together
- He had 2 ACL replacement surgeries
- He loved my wife more than anyone else in the world from day one
- He loved to fetch, but never understood the concept of drop
- He was 127lbs at his heaviest weight
- We took a road trip to Maine together when he was 1, he sat on my lap
- He ran away about 30 times, but always ended up coming back
- He loved kids, especially mine
- He loved food, especially mine
- He shed like a fiend and farted even worse
- Ocean City and the Adirondacks were his favorite vacation spots
- He loved his best friend, Reno, and will be with him again
For his last night I took him on a long walk and for one last swim. He used all his strength to look beyond his pain and did his best impression of a healthy, active puppy. He jumped right into the water and started swimming until it got dark.
Fostie’s last swim (no audio)
We stopped at Wendy’s on the way home and I got him a supersized #1. Together we ate one last meal together. It was perfect.
So today I had to say my final goodbye. I hate goodbyes.
Thanks for the everything buddy. You made my life so much better. I’ll never forget you. You were the best dog ever.
Enjoy dog heaven Fost.
Sorry your your loss, Joel. Foster sounds like a great dog. It was nice to make a tribute for him, I feel I’ve met him.
That was a heart warming tale, man. He looked like an awesome boy. You made me miss him and I never even knew him. Thoughts and prayers.
Sounds like he had a great day spending time with you. Thoughts go out to you and the fam.
Fost sounds like a great dog … I heard that in dog heaven, the Wendy’s burgers come without onions.
Wow that actually made me tear up and I’ve never met Foster. Those videos were heart breaking. I’d like to think he’s now in the afterlife jumping around in a pond similar to the one in the video, all healthy and happy. RIP Foster.
Wow, man. That’s too bad. I know all to well the feeling of losing a great dog and a good friend.
Great last meal. He was lovin’ it.
Looking at the photos, it’s remarkable how much he looked like Cayman (my dog). Empathy hit my hard today reading your tweets and this post.
Hey Joel, my heart goes out to you, Foster, and your family. That’s so tough — but it looks like he had a wonderful life and a lot of people that loved him. You definitely gave him some treats there at the end, and from your outline there you obviously gave him a great life.
Here’s hoping he’s in a place with all the Wendy’s and ponds he wants or could ever need. We’ve got two dogs and three cats, several of whom are getting up there. I try not to even imagine…
Take care
wow what a great way to spend your last day with him. He was lucky to have you for his master.
That’s one of the saddest things I ever read! I’m so sorry, Joel. I love your dog too after that blog and I hardly knew him!
That was a very special “good-bye”. . . thanks for sharing that. We know the pain all too well. . . Dutch’s last meal was a whole pound cake in the Shoprite parking lot all the way in the back by the woods. Not easy to lose a dear friend.
Love to each of you
Joel –
Great way to remember Foster. He was lucky to have you for his 13 years – and Jill and the girls!!!
See you all next week in Ocean City.
Sorry to hear about that Joel. I feel I was living him all the time.
Take care.