No matter how much times goes by, my memories of Bootsie remain locked in my heart, never to be diminished by the passing of time.
Here are just a handful of things that I think of....
* The way Bootsie would wake me up each morning. I would awaken with the feeling that I was being "watched". My eyes would open to see a pair of big brown eyes staring at me, only a couple inches from my own. Bootsie would stare at me like this, not moving a muscle. When my eyes would open, the only movement she would make were her eyes would open wider and her little ears would perk up. It wasn't until I said, "G'morning angel bear" that Bootsie would wag her tail with all her might. I would look at her and say, "Awwwww, you're such a sweetie bear, babydoll!" And then Bootsie, as though embarrassed by this flattery, would take her two front paws and cover her face with them, or she would bury her face into my side or under the blanket.
When I sat up from bed, Bootsie would jump to the floor to do her "wiggle worm dance"....she would roll over onto her back and wiggle her body to and fro, trying to catch her tail on the left, then on the right, (with a little growl thrown in for good measure, lol.) She would keep this up as long as you encouraged her, too. She was so gleeful in the mornings!
* When Bootsie wanted my attention, she would growl and bark, and tap her two front paws incessantly on the floor in front of her!
* Bootsie had a knack for knowing when we had arrived at our destination by car. Even at places she had never before been! She would just go crazy, bopping around, barking with joy, but only after we had turned onto the street of our destination.
* Bootsie did "Doggie Calisthenics". She would lay on her back, and I would say, "Bootsie: streeeeeeeeeeeetch".... Boots would stretch out her little back legs just as far as they would go. She would "hold the stretch" until I said, "Bootsie: Relaaaaaaax"..and then those little legs would ease back into a relaxed position!
* Bootsie would have snorting contests with me. I would fake sneeze, and she would fake sneeze back, blowing doggie snot all over me, LOL. I would say, "Awww Bootsie! You SNOTTED ME! EWWW!" This would go on as long as I kept it up! Bootsie was not about to be out-snorted, lol, and she remains the queen of dog snorting to this day!
* I remember how proudly Bootsie would prance about whenever I placed a new scarf around her neck. She had so much pride in her appearance, but not an arrogant bone in her petite body! She especially loved to wear my red chiffon scarf with the tiny white polka dots. (We shared scarves all the time!)
* If I laid on the sofa on my stomach to watch tv in the living room, Bootsie would take a nap....right on my BUTT, lol.
* Whenever I had to leave the house and leave Bootsie behind, she would howl like a wolf until I returned. I never believed this when my mom told me about it, until one day I returned home and heard it for myself: such sweet, mournful howling....so sad.....
* Even if only gone for a moment, Bootsie would act as if I had been gone for years and greet me with furious enthusiasm!
* I remember many times my dad would quietly watch me and Bootsie, sitting together. He's shake his head and smile, and say, "Paula, that little dog LOVES you!"
And I love HER, too! I love you AngelBear.....I can't wait to be with you again!
Much Love 4-Ever and Eternal,
Your Paula
SIDE NOTE:
As I was about to save this entry, my mom walked into the room. She stood here, looking at me as I typed, Coco by my side, and she said,
"That dog turned out so good! She's always by your side, Paula, wherever you are! She just loves you!"
Now that, to me, is another sign from Bootsie. What are the odds that my mom would say that. Thank you, Bootsie, for guiding me to Coco! I love you!
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