This post is not the first thing I wanted to share with you about our dog Rooney (my baby). When I talked with Jeffrey about this blog, we imagined that Rooney would be a regular character who would show up in posts because he was such a large part of our lives. On top of that Rooney was a foodie who was fond of peanut butter and yogurt. Unfortunately, this past Thursday Rooney had a heart attack and died instantly. I have been in shock for the last two days. I just can’t believe it. He was such a young, strong and atheletic dog. Apparently, this kind of condition can happen with boxers, and from what I have read 50% of dogs with these conditions never have any symptoms before it just hits them. We are all grieving at my house and the loss of Rooney has definately left a void in our hearts as well as our home.
In just 10 months, Rooney became such a part of our family that if he hadn’t died you probably would have heard a Rooney story in almost every post. He was just that great of a dog. Some people have asked since I started this blog or even before how we stay so fit and avoid weighing 800 lbs. Part of that is because we don’t eat out often and a part of that is due to Rooney. Rooney loved to play. He was good about snuggling on the couch, but whenever you were ready to play so was Rooney. One of my favorite things that I will truly miss is my morning walk/jog with him. It was one of his favorite things as well. “Walk” was a magic four letter word. If I said the word “walk,” Rooney was ready. In fact, once he heard the words “go for a walk” you had no choice. Sometimes after waking I would roll over in bed and whisper to Jeffrey, “I probably should go take Rooney for a walk.” Rooney would hear. He was ready. He was not always patient as I was getting dressed, and more times than not he would paw at my running shoes to let me know that it was time to go. I will greatly miss these walks. I actually told a friend that I will probably get fat now since I don’t have my walking companion. (I promise not all of my recipes will be sugar sweets so please make sure to check back.) All things in moderation is my motto.
Rooney was so much fun and he liked to be a part of whatever we were doing. He knew what time the boys got out of school and he was ready waiting by his leash. He didn’t care if it was a walk or car ride but he wanted to go get the boys. He also loved soccer and had his own soccer ball (stolen from Jeffrey – A side note: a fully inflated size 5 soccer ball is large enough that a boxer cannot get his mouth around it and subsequently pop it). One day Jeffrey had taken the ball to use at practice for William’s soccer team. Rooney and I walked to the school where the practice was held; Rooney saw “his” ball and was greatly distressed that people were playing with “his” ball without him. As soon as practice was over I let Rooney off the leash and he galloped straight for his ball. The kids loved it and had a great time chasing after Rooney and trying to get the ball away from him. We never had to worry about him being aggressive even when playing his favorite sport. He was just that great. So I wanted to share a couple of Rooney pictures. He was such a part off the family that I am just sad you won’t be able to get to know him as well as I would have liked. Here is just a brief synopsis in pictures of our sweet “Baby Roon” “Rooney Tooney”, “Roonz” or “Roonzie” as we liked to call him.
I am so sorry to hear this! What a cute doggie!! Prayers for your family! This is such a hard thing!
Dinah and family,
We are sending our hugs and prayers your way. Loosing a pet is never, ever fun especially when it is all of a sudden. Rooney sounds like such an amazing dog. You are very blessed to have had him in your live <3
While we had dogs in our house growing up, Rooney was the first dog I think I would really consider “mine” though he was “your baby.” Rooney really was an excellent soccer player. I think Rooney was also a reminder of what God’s love is like.
Rooney was always so excited to see us that he couldn’t stay still. That genuine enthusiasm was a sometimes a problem given his size yet he was so gentle. I always appreciated how gentle Rooney was with the boys. I even think I will miss the way he started licking us if he got too excited.
I’ll miss him drinking from the hose (sometimes acrobatically). I’ll miss the way he would “huff” (by blowing air out his nose) when he was wanting us to do something. I’ll miss his cute looks when I would ask him obvious questions like “Do you want some groceries?” I’ll miss the way he didn’t like to go out in the snow or rain. To be honest, I’m not sure if I’ll miss his room clearing gas.
Dinah–thank you so much for sharing Rooney with us and thank you for your insistence that we were ready for a dog. I love you and I miss him too.
I know this is such a huge loss for your family and we are thinking of you all. We had a “perfect” dog in our lives and know the pain of losing him. He was a black boxer mix that looked and acted much like Rooney. I will miss seeing Rooney at school and practice.
Thanks for sharing a little glimpse of your Rooney. I know what he meant to your family. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to receive Rooney’s kisses and hugs when I came over a few weeks ago. He just welcomes all into your home. All will miss Rooney at school! You are in our thoughts!
XOXO
Rooney is unbelievably cute. I have 2 boxers and know how much of a good breed they are. Mine make me laugh everyday and I dont think I could go a day without having a boxer. I’m sorry to hear about Rooney. I love the note at the end with all the nicknames .. reminds me of all of the silly nicknames that I have for mine! Reading the story made me sad and I can understand how upset you must be. Thanks for sharing the pictures! Keep your chin up.