Farewell, Freddie

It is officially the end of an era. And it feels surprisingly sad. :( Many of you didn't know about Freddie, some of you have heard of him, and some of you are thinking "Holy hell! He just died???". He already died twice. Once he was found, completely dried out, behind my bedroom door. I was around 10 at the time. The second time? In his cage in the garage, mid-summer, all the water evaporated. I was around 13 at the time. He wasn't really dead either time. I guess newts have three lives... Here's a picture of the only picture I could find of him:

Remember how I said that Aura was my journal? Freddie was not. Remember how I said that Aura knew every detail of my life? Freddie did not. But this newt deserves big props, and here's why: I had major reservations going away to college. I loved being home. I still love being home. And when I moved into the dorms, Freddie moved with me. I decided that, as long as Freddie lived, I would stay away from home. I was 18; he was 10. Then he moved into the sorority.... then into an apartment... and into a house... and into another house... and into another house... and then into my first house ... and then here. Freddie died today. He was 25. TWENTY FIVE YEARS OLD. No, he was never replaced. Real deal. Freddie spent 25 of the last 33 years with me. Give that old man props. 

My Aura

"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. 

For me they are the role model for being alive."

Gilda Radner

There was no greater dog, nor do I imagine there will be a greater dog, than my Aura. And today our journey together ended, but the unconditional love that she gave me for 11 1/2 years will be a part of me forever. There is no companionship like that of a dog - and there is no dog like Aura. She loved everything about life - she was my running partner, my squirrel hunter, my kitten-cat-puppy-dog-frog-children lover, my heating blanket, my diary, my assistant teacher, my road-trip buddy, my shoulder-to-cry-on. When I was happy, Aura wagged her tail and tap-danced endlessly. When I was stressed, she chewed on her leg until I found my peace. She was, without a doubt, a reflection of every minute in my life. 

Aura lived in my first apartment with me. She moved to three different rental houses with me. She was by my side when I bought my first house... when Zach moved out and John moved in... when I got married... when the girls were born. She attended every holiday function in our family, every birthday, every gathering. Aura loved opening presents. She was Cali's first family dog companion. She was with us when Sam and Murphy joined my parent's world. She welcomed Lucy into our home. She was a role model for puppy tolerance when Ginger and Charlie arrived. Aura was my journal for the past 11 1/2 years; there is nothing that she didn't know. And I am forever thankful for our time together and the place in my heart that will always belong to Aura.