Mattie's Joshua Deets Burton.... October 27, 1998- December 1, 2011
Hi all. We just wanted to let you know that our sweet old Deets passed on from this life on Thursday, December 1st. He was born October 27, 1998, and lived a long, full, happy 13 years. He was our first child and it was so hard to see him go. As most of you know, we have watched him become very frail over that last 3-4 months….so we knew this day was coming. We miss him so much already…and have cried more tears than I can even tell you. But we know he's not in pain anymore and that it was the best thing to let our old, faithful friend go. We even gave him a royal meal of steak, bacon, and cheese served on our family's "You are Special" plate on his last day! He couldn't even stand up to eat it, but laid on his bed and ate every last bite….with his tennis ball right by his side. He loved it. :)
The kids are handling it well, but we all still tear up when we walk into his usual places. When the kids came home from school, we pulled out his "Puppy Book" (yes, I made him a puppy book of his first year. See what I mean? He WAS our first child) and we just all cried and laughed at all the good memories we had with him. I can' t imagine a better companion than sweet Deets. Thanks for your calls about him over the last few weeks. We love you guys.
I wanted to share a poem that Luke's mom wrote about Deets just a few months ago. It really sums up how special he was and is to all of us. You might want to grab a tissue….
Love,
Shan
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My sweet granddog, so aptly named,
For grand he is, though weak and lame,
His noble brow now old and grayed,
His tennis ball still chewed and frayed.
He can’t fetch it, run or play,
But he remembers happy days
Of hunting dove and evening swims.
His hearing’s gone, his eyesight dims.
He lost his way home last night,
His mom thought hard and guessed it right.
Beneath a bush he’d sought some shade;
She led him home, since memory fades.
He was a practice child for them,
My son, his wife, their dog and then
Four new pairs of sticky hands
Rubbed his coat--they were his fans.
He welcomed each new tiny face
With calm acceptance, humble grace,
Then off they went to laugh and play
And grow their world somewhere away
From him, who now can scarcely walk
But thumps his tail whene’er they talk.
A brand new pup they’ll surely have
Someday, and we will all be glad.
But I’ll remember old Deets who
Loved his kids and loved me, too.
We miss you so much, Deetsy-boy! Thank you for so many wonderful years....
