Tracer Maddux, 1994-2009

The longest relationship in our family came to an end yesterday. Cort got Tracer as a college graduation present--to himself--over fifteen years ago. They've been together two years longer than Cort and I have known each other. In fact, I'm pretty sure that Cort used Tracer to win me over some thirteen years ago. I thought Cort was cute, sure, but his dog was awesome.

Tracer was a black labrador retriever.  Emphasis on "retriever."  He didn't just fetch, he retrieved.  Going to get the bumper (stick, ball, whatever) and bringing it back was not just his way of having fun, it was important stuff.  His life's work.  In his youth--and well out of it--he simply loved retrieving.  He could follow commands and do blind retrieves.  He would retrieve until we had to stop him for fear he would pass out.

He was also clearly part human, and I swear he understood English. He was strong and beautiful, but with a sensitive side.  In fact, so much so that he tended to pee involuntary if a harsh word was ever spoken to him.  He almost never disobeyed.  He rarely got on the furniture, he did not sleep in our bed, and we could leave food on the coffee table for hours and he wouldn't touch it.  (Except for bread.  He had a weakness for bread.  He ate almost seven loaves at my parents' house while they were picking us up at the airport from our honeymoon.  It was home baked.  I guess he couldn't resist.)

He was our first child, and he was treated like it.  Notice the picture above?  Yes, he had more professional pictures taken than our younger children have had.  We took him everywhere we could, and he was a great companion. Although he hated Maddie, our other dog, when we first got her, eventually it was Trace--not us--who trained her.  She simply learned to follow his lead. 

But fifteen and a half is old for a lab. The last couple of years, he has been a shell of his former self. He had always been such a perfect dog, so we thought he might just give out, and save us a hard decision. But it wasn't to be. We both knew it was time for awhile now. Monday night Cort gave him a bath, we both spent a little time with him, and then Tuesday Cort took him in.  He was fifteen years, seven months, and thirteen days old.

We have many wonderful memories with this amazing dog. I remember him mostly as the dog in the pictures below. I hope he is enjoying the wide open spaces above, and I hope the sticks are plentiful for retrieving in heaven.

Although he was Cort's dog, in many ways he was a momma's boy at heart

The picture of pure comfort

After a rough start, he loved playing with Maddie for many years.  Although they no longer played together, we're sure she will miss him too.

No stick was ever too big to retrieve

The familiar look of anticipation

I used to love it when they retrieved something together

Happy at home

Like any lab, he loved the water too

Snuggling up