Willie was a very special dog to our family. After a year of dating, my (then) boyfriend, John, bought me a puppy for Christmas. We picked Willie out from a picture but when we got there, I started getting attached to a different puppy who was very snuggly. As John and I were discussing which of the two we wanted, Willie comes runnning up to both of us and yelled "ROOOOOOO!" We both started laughing and agreed he was the one. Two years later he was the ring bearer in our wedding and even joined in our first dance. He was the start of our family for us.

He loved his blue ball, squeaky pig, frosty paws, and car rides. He loved driving over the railroad tracks and would "get em!" everytime we drove over them. He even had a favorite song of Keith Urban's called "Sweet Thing" that he would always howl to. Only song he ever did that to.

When he was 5, we brought home another little Westie named Freddie and they were instant best pals for the rest of Willie's life. 

3 years ago we got another puppy for our son, and Willie was not a fan. He let his opinion be known by walking right up to me, looking me dead in the eye, and peed on the rug all while maintaining eye contact. By this time, Willie was older and was in no mood for the energy of a golden retriever pup. Over time, Willie began to tolerate Rip pretty well as long as he got his place on my lap and some treats. 

When Willie was about 6, he started having skin issues, common with Westies. We tried ruling out food but after a year of testing, figured out it was environmental and just his skin so we had to treat it as it came. As he aged and his immune system weakened, his allergies got worse every with Spring. For the past three years, it was just one skin infection after another. We knew going into winter that as soon as things started to bloom, it would take a toll on his skin and our time with him was limited. So we spoiled him even more than usual his last few months. When we didn't get as cold of a winter as we had hoped for, we knew it was going to be quicker than we anticipated. By mid-February, his skin infections had come back, starting in his ear. I got his ear under control and then his eye got infected, then his belly, back to his ear, and then back to his eye again. 

On his last day, we took Willie for a couple of car rides. He stuck his head out the window and enjoyed the beautiful weather. First, back by our old house and over the railroad tracks.  He even looked down at the railroad tracks (even though he probably couldn't see them very well, he knew they where we were). We then took him down to the riverfront. He sniffed everything, marked his territory. He ate a cheeseburger, nuggets and fries from McDonald's and had a frosty paw for dessert. And before he went to sleep peacefully in our arms with all of his favorite people and things beside him including Freddie, he ate a Reese's peanut butter cup, and he absolutely loved it. 

Thank you for all the great memories, Willie. You were the start of our family, and you will always hold a very special place in our hearts for you. We miss you so much and will always love you. ROOOOOO