Bingston 1999 - 2011

Bingston 1999

In 1999 we bought a 9-week old puppy home, after a couple of days I named him Bingston.  Little did we know how important this guy would become to our family.  Smart as a whip and determined that everyone should love him he was pure joy to our home.

Yesterday, November 3, 2011 Bingston died.  Suffering from congestive heart failure -- his poor little body could no longer do what it needed to.  We held him tightly those last minutes he was with us.  I stayed with him to the end.  Without attempting to sound melodramatic I know that a part of my heart went with him - I will forever be changed by his life and his death.  As he slipped away I whispered to him that I KNOW we will all be together again someday and then he was gone.  Seeing that spark of life disappear into a stone stare will be with me forever, I actually shudder when I remember that moment.

Soon I know that I will begin to remember Bingston the puppy and will not define him by his death.  But for this time when I close my eyes that lost spark moment is what I carry.  Today when Jase and I were leaving the house we put the dogs in their kennels and the sight of Bingston's empty kennel was cruel.

Bingston 2000