On Tuesday, May 11th, I gave Lady her last ride with the windows down. She passed away of natural causes after 16 years. She gave me unconditional love. She was my best friend and loved me more than I deserved. I felt a love from her that was more pure than fresh snow. She taught me so much.

It is amazing that a human could learn from the love of an animal. If I could only love others half as much as she loved me, I am trying. They say "To err is human, but to forgive is canine" how true that is.

I bought Lady at the Lake Charles Auto Auction on a cold winter rainy night in 1993 and brought her home in the pocket of my overcoat as a gift to my daughter, Lauren. I picked her because of her stumpy tail from a litter of 6. Lauren was 3 years old at the time and I heard how loving and non-demanding Bulldogs were, so I thought it was the perfect dog for her and the family. I was right. Lauren loved Lady as much as I did at first sight.

Lady loved to sleep and just lay around. One time Cindy caught Lady chewing the brick off of the house. Another time when Lady was just a few months old she went right off into the pool. I watched her sink like a rock, so I dove in clothes and all to save her. She never acted scared or anything.

She wasn't dumb, she knew I was there to save her. She went kayacking with me. She loved to get after the mailman and especially the lawn mower and yard people. She would let them have it! Cindy would have to lock her up!
She wanted to eat them alive. I only gave my daughter one spanking her whole life and that was because she accidentally locked Lady up in the pool area. Lauren was so sorry and I am sorry that I spanked you, Lauren. Cindy nick- named Lady "Hump Bubba Doo" and called her Humps for short. I don't think Cindy didn't love Lady, she did, but Lady would always slobber and drool on Cindy, one could understand Cindy's point. Cindy always helped me give Lady baths, Lauren did too. They gave great care to Lady.

One of my fondest memories of Lady was for a time, every Sunday morning early, Lady would go for a ride with me to Galveston in my Land Rover. She would pant and sniff as we drove to Galveston almost every Sunday, while we tried to figure things out. She was a great listener. She loved to go for a ride in the Rover and never complained about it, ever. I would put her some ice in her water bowl in the back of the Rover and I can hear her now going slurp, slurp, slurp...Most Bulldogs only live 6-8 years, but with Cindy and Lauren's help we always kept her cool by having fans for her. They get so hot. We took very good care of her. She was a big snorer too, you could hear her from the garage sometimes. A sound I will miss dearly.

Lady moved from Texas to Colorado and when Cindy would go into the garage in Colorado, Lady would keep her company. Then we moved back to Texas. Lady never complained. She rode with me and Lauren in the Land Rover all the way back. Lauren, Lady and I had fun on that trip and were excited to move back to Texas. At the house we have now on Clear Lake, Lady loved to come upstairs and hang out on the second floor. When she stopped coming up we knew the time was coming. Again, Lady never complained. She always met me with a smile and a wag. Always licked my hand, even though I had nothing to offer. She never passed judgement on me or condemned me for my actions.

Never laughed at me or ridiculed me. Never cheated me or lied to me. Never stole either. Lady never had a motive or ill thought about me. Never told me I was dumb or she wished she never saw me or I was never born. She always treated me and greeted me as if I were the best thing that ever happened to her, when in fact, she was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Lady loved me unconditionally. Some people say that I am very nice, well if I am, I learned it from Lady. She has taught me so much.

No wonder Dogs have such a short life. If you love unconditionally every day of your life, if would have to kill you. "To err is Human to forgive is Canine".

Special thanks to Homar Gonzales for his care to Lady - she loved him too!

This poem is in Loving Memory for Lady.

You can't buy loyalty, they say
Well, I bought it just the other day.

You can't buy friendships, tried and true Well I beg to differ, I bought that too.

I made a bid for Lady and on the spot
I bought love, faith and a whole, whole lot.

It's a wonder I could get all this through the door So all and all the price was small.

I bought a single, trusting, forgiving heart that loved me unconditionally from the start.

If you think love and happiness is not for sale then buy yourself a brown bulldog with a stumpy tail.

She was my best friend.
I will love her always.

May God Bless everyone who has lost a friend.

Scott