In October, I blogged about our three dogs, Fenway, Camden and Hanover. Ten days after my post we lost Camden following two abdominal surgeries in three days and a diagnosis of lymphoma. His little body just wasn't strong enough to recover, although he fought with all his might.
Today, I'm writing in Camden's memory - Christmas was his all time favorite holiday. He knew when the tree went up that good things were coming in tissue wrapped packages. Christmas morning, he would be beside himself waiting for the gift opening -- he knew he always got a few dog toys wrapped in tissue paper. To see Cam open his presents was a delight. Of all the dogs, he best knew how to rip the tissue and get to the gift. Cam treasured his soft toys. Often, we would find him laying with his head on his newest soft toy (probably to make sure neither of the other two dogs would take it).
One of our funniest stories is the year Camden kept pulling a gift from a friend out from under the tree and tearing at it. We couldn't figure out why since he never bothered any present wrapped in regular wrapping paper. On Christmas morning, we discovered the box he had been trying to open was filled with tissue - he must have smelled the tissue and thought the box was an early gift for him!
Below is a short video of Cam eagerly trying to get to his presents on Christmas morning last year (with Fenway coming into the picture at the end) and some snapshots of all three pups.
Cam, we all miss you greatly but we know you're celebrating Christmas on the other side of the rainbow bridge, where there are as many presents as you want under the beautiful trees. Open them with joy and when you tire, lay your head on the softest and dream sweet dreams. You are with us today and always little man. We love you.
Camden in his finest Christmas jingle bell collar
Guarding his toys - the look says it all - I'm not sharing!
The best way to rest!
You can see Camden's paw, where he is missing two toes - the result of surgery he had when he was five - the vets at K-State, particularly Dr. Chad Johannes, saved his life when he got a mysterious disease dissolving his toe bones - they gave us another 6 wonderful years with Camden. We are eternally grateful to Dr. Johannes and K-State's vet school for all they did for Camden.
Classic Cam
One of my favorites - it's pure Camden
He loved being outside and the hair was always in his eyes but he hated having it trimmed
Best buddies - Fenway grieved terribly when Cam died
The posse doing what they love best - watching for squirrels!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your families!
