Wyatt Malki-Shua Matthew Hammar

Yesterday, we had to put our sweet dog, Wyatt, down.  It was discovered that he had bone cancer and, although he didn't show symptoms until this past week, he was in miserable pain once it was discovered.  He was 9.5 years old.  We got him shortly after moving to Idaho....before kids and before a house.  He was the best puppy....he was housebroken within weeks of getting him home.  Although I remember thinking he was worse than a baby...he needed constant vigilance and didn't sleep well at night.  But he was adorable and worth it!

 

 

 

 

 

Wyatt was definitely my baby, but Matt liked him too.  Just not nearly as much as I did!  I teased him when we named him and told Matt that I was giving Wyatt his middle name.  He thought dogs needed neither a middle nor a last name, but I gave him the royal treatment!  This is one of my favorite pictures because Wyatt clearly loved Matt.

 

 

 

As soon as our kids came along, they had an instant best friend in Wyatt!  He was so patient and loving with them.  He never barked or nipped at them.  And he loved them because they dropped treats for him constantly!  He was also my buddy when I was at home with the kids.  Especially after we had Erika and I stopped working, I think I talked to Wyatt more than I did Erika!  He was just always around and would look at me as if he was fulfilling his end of the conversation.  Wyatt was a huge, 80-pound comforter when I needed him....especially right after each of the kids were born and my hormones were shot and there were days when I was home with him and he sat still and let me cry on him.  Honestly, he would come check on me periodically after one of those episodes.....the best counselor ever!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wyatt loved to be outside and loved playing ball or stick in the yard with the kids.  He also loved the snow, but his paws would get cut up when it was really frozen.  He didn't care, though, and insisted to be let out in it.  He loved drinking water from the sprinkler when the kids ran though it, too.

 

 

He also greatly loved his nap times, and especially loved it when we would leave blankets on the floor.

 

Wyatt also had his moments of trouble. He more than once got too close to a spider or some other kind of insect that bit him and caused his face to swell. 

 

And he was constantly getting the kids stuffed animals if they were left on the floor instead of on the bed.

 

Wyatt was a great traveler and, although he didn't like camping, he loved going somewhere.  He never really was a water dog....we tried the ocean, lakes, and rivers.  He liked lapping up the water, but never wanted to run in like most labs. 

 

 

 

Wyatt's last night with us was spent on his same baby blanket.  He chose to lay by my side of the bed instead of his usual spot on a wall opposite our bed.  He was still my sweet puppy.  I am so very grateful that he was his usual, happy, playful, loving self until the very last minute.  He and I went on walks in the early morning twice a week....I will miss my walking partner.  The vet tech even commented, "He's a real smiley dog isn't he?"  And he was.  He adored people and thought everyone he came across obviously was put on this earth to be his friend. 

 

The kids got to say goodbye to him just like they would lay on him when he was healthy.  Laurel asked, "Do you think he will try and find Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma?"  I don't know, but I certainly hope so!

 

I love and miss my big boy and am so very glad that he was a part of our family!