I keep a list of wonderful memories of my dog Sawyer. I call it Sawyer Moments, started it about a month before Sawyer’s death, and add to it each day. Updating it and occasionally reading through it have been very comforting for me since I lost him. Here are some of my favorite Sawyer Moments.
- Licking dirt to make me chase him around the backyard
- Lying down on my clean jeans, pawing at them after I took them away, and then going to sleep on a used pair I gave him
- Sleeping while using his Moon toy as an adorable pillow
- Wagging his tail after I said “Sawyer” not long before leaving one time
- Looking at the ground in the backyard, seeing me, and then smiling after I said “Hey, Sawyer”
- Licking my face during my senior pictures
- Sniffing my hand and then standing up to grab my arm in the backyard one morning
- Sitting/lying down on a blanket while I dragged him around the house
- Playing in the hall with us after a bath, running to the front room, and running back with his Moon
- Showing concern for me when I had a bad headache after a class
- Looking at me with some of his fur in his mouth when I called his name
- Lying down on my dirty clothes by the laundry area
- Grabbing my hand with his paw and moving it toward his chest
- Rolling around under his bed after coming back in from outside
- Rolling around under somebody’s bed covers and squeaking while moving a bit
- Growling at his reflection when I held him up to a mirror
- Running around energetically after his baths
- Smiling while panting, stopping and widening his eyes when I said his name, and then tilting his head when I asked him if he wanted to go outside
- Giving me his paw when I said “Just put your little hand in mine”
- Wanting to get up on the couch but only jumping up after I patted the spot next to me
- Walking from his bed to sit with me on car trips
- Having his own little Christmas stocking and getting stuff for Christmas
- Taking long drinks to delay me leaving
- Running up to my car when I was backing up the driveway while he was on his nightly walk and visiting with me after I stopped the car and got out to see him
- Sitting by the window while sleepily opening and closing his eyes as I scratched his chest
- Lying on my shoulder when I was on the couch
- Excitedly jumping up to tap the couch when I slept there one night and then sleeping on the floor beside the couch
- Playfully biting my nose, fingers, and toes when he was under a blanket
- Playfully biting my nose, fingers, and toes when I was under a blanket
- Lying down on my weighted blanket on Christmas Day 2021
- Dancing Balboa with me to country music in the front room
- Begging to sit on my lap and then falling asleep after I picked him up and put him there
- Winking once when I held him up to a mirror as if he was admiring his reflection
- Looking back at me on the couch and smiling when I started petting him
- Getting in his bed by the garage door when we were preparing for car rides
- Sleeping on my lap at the computer while wearing his thunder shirt
- Sleeping near and under the Christmas tree
- Lying down on small towels, tissues, and other small things
- Settling down quickly after I spoke softly to him at the window while he was in a tizzy
- Bowing when I came near him
- Staying in a bow as I hugged, scratched, and visited with him
- Walking over to me and putting his head face down on my leg
- Quickly and confidently putting his paw down on his stuffed bunny
- Stretching while lying down and then putting his paw to his mouth as if covering a yawn
- Looking me in the eye and then closing his eyes and tipping his head back a bit when I pet his head
- Looking his eyes to one side and raising his eyebrow after I asked him something
- Licking my face when I held him at a family get together early on in our time together
- Giving me high, low, and middle fives
- Putting his head down while lying on my bed in the morning when asked if he wanted to stay in there with me
- Lying down on his back and licking my hand while holding it with both paws
- Looking around contentedly with half closed eyes while lying down on the cool deck
- Sleeping under my Spiderman blanket for a long time after I covered him up with it
- Hiding from baths under furniture
- Running on his side (without going anywhere) in his sleep
- Wagging his tail in his sleep
- Sleepily rolling over while rubbing his face with both paws
- Putting one leg straight up in the air while he slept on his back
- Rolling over onto his back while smiling as soon as I touched his side lightly
- Howling excitedly when he came into my room to wake me up
- Yelling and going berserk at the front window when a cat was outside it totally indifferent to what Sawyer was doing
- Looking at me and then looking down at the floor where he wanted me to sit next to him
- Walking over to sit with me on long car trips
- Panting while looking around the backyard, dropping down and looking at me with wide eyes when I made a sudden move, and then running around excitedly as I chased him
- Seeing me come home, telling other folks, and then greeting me excitedly when I went inside
- Sticking his tongue out with half-closed eyes while being held in a reclined position
- Repeatedly squeaking Moon, Owl, Squirrel, and his other squeaky toys
- Barking at fireworks instead of feeling scared by them
- Moving his ears apart to make room for my hand when I went to pet his head
- Knocking on my door in the morning to come visit with me
- Running over excitedly to see me when I met him outside
- Sleeping in late with me in my bed one morning when it was just us in the house
- Staring at me until I gave him pets, cuddles, or some other kind of attention
- Putting his nose on someone’s elbow to get their attention
- Running around and playing with other dogs at the animal place the day we got him
- Looking upset when someone talked to me during Sawyer/Ian Time
- Looking at me with concern when I felt bad
- Immediately settling down from yelling out the front window after I spoke calmly to him
- Visiting with my nephew and nieces on Christmas Day 2021
- Adoring and being adored by everyone who met him
- Sleeping while I watched TV or a movie when we were home alone
- Learning and responding to his name early on after first coming home
- Leaving nose prints on the front windows
- Making me feel better on my hard days by showing me extra love, concern, and attention when I felt sick, sad, or lonely
- Taking my seat and then staring at me when I came back like “What?”
- Looking at me with eyes full of love
- Napping in the car on long drives
- Listening to me when I sang to him
- Walking down to the end of the couch and lying down next to my feet
- Keeping his front paws on my leg as I attempted to get up and looking at me like “Where are you going?”
- Greeting me extra excitedly when I came home from a multi-day trip
- Casting cute little shadows outside
- Carrying a towel with him on his back while he walked around
- Periodically looking in the front room to make sure everyone was still there before returning to chill in the kitchen
- Letting me hold him and rock him back and forth while telling him goodnight
- Getting into the pool with me for a bit
- Smiling hugely at me while greeting me when I came back home
- Winking and then smiling at me to say yes after I asked him a question
- Keeping one eye open while resting and occasionally sleeping
- Going to bed by himself when he felt exhausted one day before anybody noticed or went through the bedtime routine
- Sitting, standing, or laying nearby when family members sang to me on my birthday
- Making every birthday better just by being there
- Crossing his back legs while I scratched him as he laid on his back
- Sniffing a treat and then making a “throw it” gesture with his head so he could chase it
- Dancing his front paws around excitedly while waiting for a treat to be thrown
- Slowly sinking into a lying down position while licking my face as I was lying on the floor