Ode to Sandy

She came to my parent's home when she was still a pup.
My younger brother had always wanted a dog, and Sandy just showed up. She must have been a stray, but it didn't matter.
Sandy and Jim hit it off great.
Nobody could come into the yard without Sandy barking and alerting Mom and Dad. Sometimes Sandy would continue to bark at people even when they had entered the house, which would get my Dad scolding her.
But it didn't matter.
Sandy either liked you or she didn't.
Even if she didn't like you the worst you got was a whole lot of barking. She never bit anybody that I can recall. She had a job to do and she did it for a long time.
She had been through many changes at my folk's home. Jim would move away, grandchildren would begin invading her space, my father's cancer and his death, and finally she moved to a new home with my Mom.
But her expression was always the same. Those dark eyes and alert ears were always probing, looking out for her family. She never had any pups, she didn't need them. We were her family.
And if it's possible, I think she took pride in looking after all of us.
Over time her steps became less quick, her hair stopped growing. There was pain in every step as arthritis got to her. Her eyes became clouded, her hearing began to fail. I would walk up on her without her even moving. When she did realize I was there she would become startled, and maybe embarrassed by the fact that I had gotten that close.
And finally Mom had to put her down.
The last years of her life were spent keeping my Mom company. She made the house less lonely for Mom. Now that Mom is engaged to be married, maybe Sandy wanted to hang around until she knew Mom would have somebody.
I can't be for sure, but I wouldn't doubt it.
Sandy was that good.
I will always remember Sandy laying at the feet of my Dad. He sat in his chair, suffering from the effects of his illness, Sandy never letting Dad get to far out of her sight.
Thank you Sandy.
You were a great dog.