Saying Goodbye to Taco
It’s been a difficult couple of days. Taco had been my constant companion every day for 8 years, since adopting him in 2016. Whether I was gone for a week out of the country, or we were gone for 2 hours to church, Taco was always so excited to see us, wagging not only his tail but his entire backside. He didn’t like to play, he didn’t like other dogs, he didn’t do any tricks – but he loved his family and wanted to be around us always. I appreciate all of the kind messages and personal notes. I know that many of us have been through this. You’d think that I’d know what to expect. My family had dogs growing up, and I remember the passing of 3 of them, but Taco’s passing hit differently because I adopted him, I was primarily the one who walked him, fed him, bathed him, and cleaned up after him. Working from home, he was with me every single day, and I loved that he was always around and ready for an adventure – even if the “adventure” was me running to the grocery store or getting a car wash. I’ve taken him hiking and camping here in Northern Utah, and even on long road trips. We drove up to my sister’s in Montana last year, and a few years back, the two of us drove all the way out to Minneapolis and back.
As he took his last few breaths, we sensed it was time. Kendal had him swaddled on the couch and I sat across from him, both of us rubbing his belly and head, talking to him, telling him it was ok to let go and rest, until his heart stopped. A little later in the day, my two youngest boys and daughter-in-law met us, and we buried him in a rose bed.
The house is too quiet. I’ve called out to him a couple of times. While trying to get some work done with music or radio playing, more than once I’ve paused what I was doing to listen because I thought I heard his footsteps coming down the stairs. I really miss him. There’s a massive hole in my heart. He was my best friend….after my wife, of course. In a family chat, my kids even pointed out that Taco was probably my favorite child (probably true).
It’s one of the great injustices of life that dogs are capable of so much unconditional love, yet have such short lifespans.
We’ll miss you, Taco.
