Scout

Scout

For Scout:

Scout has been my everything for the past eight years. He’s been my companion through adulthood, my steady heart through every high and low, my best friend in every sense of the word. He’s the one who taught me how to be accountable to something other than myself — how to show up, love fully, and live with purpose. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him.

When Scout was younger, he wasn’t gentle — he was clumsy, playful, and full of life. He’d run full speed into things, slide across the floor chasing toys, and make me laugh when I needed it most. All he ever wanted was to be loved and to be near his person — me. As he grew older, that energy softened into this calm, gentle soul who just wanted to “Scuddle” and soak up love from his favorite people.

He’s been with me through so much — four deployments, countless trips, buying our home (which quickly became filled with love and dog hair), and months of hotel living after our house froze. Through it all, he was there. Constant. Loyal. Loving.

He loved the lake, sticks, chasing balls, water that would come out of the sprinkler, and lasers like a cat. He’d watch birds and “Ralphs” (squirrels) out the window, fall asleep with his blanket that he’d suck on every night, and ride with his head out the window, ears flapping in the wind. He loved going to the park and running with his furry friends. 

I’ll never forget the day we got the keys to our home — he ran inside, went straight up the stairs, lifted his leg, and peed by the fireplace as if to say, “This is home now.” He never did it again until seven years later, the day we started prednisone after his lymphoma diagnosis. Somehow, it felt like things had come full circle.

When I held that little tuxedo pup for the first time, I thought I’d get to see him grow old — I never imagined I’d have to watch him grow sick. Every decision I made was to give him a happy, healthy, love-filled life, and I hope he always knew that. Scout was my baby — the one I bottle-fed when his mom refused to nurse. He grew into the most loving, loyal companion and the best adventure partner I could have ever asked for. I always joked that I was his emotional support human, but maybe it was really the other way around. He comforted a part of my soul that no one else could ever touch.

These last few days were hard. His body grew tired, his steps slower, but his heart never stopped shining. He spent his last day at home, surrounded by love, resting close, knowing he was safe.

What a gift it’s been to have him, to love him, and to be loved so completely in return and I’m so grateful for having him.

Scouts was one of a kind — my heart dog, my shadow, my constant reminder of what unconditional love looks like. There will forever be Scout-shaped paw prints pressed deep into my heart.