Our Lloyd – Lloydy, Lloydster, Lloydy McLloyderson, crossed the rainbow bridge – he was 13 and we, are sad…so sad!!!
Lloyd was, in fact from Lloydminster and Yes, Nick and I are terribly uncreative when it comes to pup names.
We had lost our first pup, Ralph, to cancer about 6 months before our paths crossed with our Lloydy boy. Nick was at work and one of his colleagues brought in a Golden Retriever puppy and Nick was a goner – No, Cheryl, this was the cutest puppy – we need a Golden in our life. That was that, before we knew it, we were on the road to Lloydminster and about to embark on an amazing, yet somehow, smelly 13 years!!
Lloyd was so cute that he inspired our neighbours and Nick’s uncle to each get one of his littermates. Lulu and Binxy girl!!!!
He was about as perfect as a dog could get but he had one downfall, at least to us humans – he had the deepest, truest need to be absolutely filthy. It was all fun and games at the dog park until he wandered off and found himself rolling around in the thickest mud possible. When he was done, he always looked so relieved, like, finally I’m my best self. Honestly, if it was only mud that he found, we were thankful….he was also great at rolling in shit too!!!!
A lot of dogs don’t like baths – this I know, but Lloyd was next level. Nick would have to get into the shower with him and I would have to hold the door closed. The desperation and absolute look of betrayal he would give me, I’ll never forget BUT also – It wasn’t enough for us to live with the horrid stench he’d bring home;);).
Beyond being filthy, Lloyd also enjoyed running – In fact, he ran a half marathon with Nick and stole the show. Every single person in the crowd cheered Lloyd through the finish line, where he received his very own medal!! As Lloyd aged and couldn’t keep up with the distances anymore, Nick would take him out on a little loop, where Lloyd could set the pace and then drop him off at home before he continued. As soon as Nick grabbed his running shoes, there was no way Lloyd would let him leave without him!! He ran until his last days.
If you ask me to describe Lloyd in one word, it would have to be loyal – shocker, right….like, aren’t all dogs loyal? Gunner had this sexy indifference about us, like, I’m here to protect you and I do like you, but I do what I want;). Lloyd was the ultimate people pleaser, and he was game for anything!! He even came when we called him – impressive, right;);)
This loyalty shone brightest when we had the kids – he accepted them and his new responsibility as keeper of these mini humans. He strutted around in a tutu more times than I’m sure he liked and went along with whatever role the kids assigned him to in their imaginary games. I’m also pretty sure he left behind a few stuffed wives;). Lily married him off so many times!!
He was climbed on, snuggled, tucked into bed, hauled around North America, lived in a fifth wheel, a motorhome, a Texas condo, our cabin and a regular old house and in return we showered him with love and popcorn – 2 of his favourite things!!!
When Gunner died, Lloyd was there to see his friend pass on and when he was officially gone, Lloyd walked around him, sniffed him and then crawled into Nick’s lap. If you thought we were all sad about Gunner’s passing, Lloyd was a whole different story. He was lost. We always joked, in the beginning, that Gunner aged Lloyd with his chaos but truthfully, Gunner is the reason why Lloyd did so well at the end, I think. It didn’t take us long to realize that Gunner was Lloyd’s seeing eye dog!! When Gunner was gone, Lloyd didn’t wander much further than the deck at our cabin. I’m pretty sure it was because of his declining eyesight and not because of the intimidation he felt from the squirrels;)
It brings us all comfort to know that they’ve been reunited and that we have them both looking over us. The house feels empty. We miss them. 13 years is a long life for a big guy but somehow doesn’t feel quite long enough. One of our dear friends told us once – 4 years a puppy, 4 years a good dog, 4 years an old dog and anything after that is a blessing!! We consider ourselves blessed!!
Willard Family Adventures 