About 10 years ago I brought a family member home. At the time I didn't know this guy would turn into a family member, but he did. Wyatt, our Great Dane/Lab mix became one of the most beloved pets the Newman family would ever know.
This evening I was interrupted with the most tragic phone call ever. "Wyatt died" Then my evening turned into a great blur. I ran into the bedroom where Shannon was and shut the door and told him what my mom said said to me and I stormed out the door in a hurry. On my way to my mom and dad's house I called my Granny and told her the news. I didn't want my dad to have to say the words. "Wyatt died" is one of the hardest things I have had to say.
He was old, and ready to go at any time, but we didn't want it to happen. I guess it was our own selfish reasons, but who wants to let a family member go like that? We all knew that it was his time, but we didn't want it to come.
Our whole family rallied around this dog. When my mom and dad weren't going to be home my grandparents would come stay with him for fear that he would be alone, and need help with something like getting up, going out side, or eating. He came to stay with me at my house on one occasion because he was too old to be alone. Wyatt was our old man, and we loved him. He was my brother Wy-Wy. He was my dad's best friend. He was my kids uncle. He was my mom's walking buddy. And most of all he was our family.
The plan was to bury in at a Friends house on their ranch. My dad had his friend Jerry on hold with a tractor to dig the hole and Wyatt was to be placed in the orchards where he could rest in peace in the shade under the almond trees. But when the time actually came my dad couldn't bear the fact of Wyatt being away from home.
I called Shannon and asked him to come to my parents house and have him and the boys dig the grave next to Katie, our other family member whom we loved just as much. The boys and Shannon gracefully dug a grave for Wyatt with much respect. It was a perfect spot. Wyatt is at rest in the flowerbed next to his best friend.
When I went to my parents house I saw where Wyatt died. It was the worst thing ever to see. I knew that my dad shouldn't see him there like that. I had my mom and sister help me move him to the grass in the shade. I sat with him for a while and pet him one last time. I told him how much he was loved and how much I was going to miss him. Oh man, will I miss this guy. I will miss his loyalty, his friendship, and his love for us.
I called Pastor Dan and asked him for some scripture that would be appropriate for a burial. He gave me a few scriptures that were appropriate for the occasion. The scripture that I chose to read was from John 14: 1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Fathers house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you will also may be where I am."
I chose this verse because it is important that we all know that Wyatt was called by God on this day of July 1, 2009 to be with him in the place that God has planned for Wyatt to be his whole life. Although, we know the only absolute in life is that we will all die, it is still so hard to embrace it. Know body wants to see a loved one leave this world, but when God calls, the opportunities are so much greater in Heaven then they are here on earth.
During the ceremony I asked everybody to mention one favorite memory that they had of Wyatt.
Mia remembered when she would cover Wyatt with her Nani (blanket). It made her feel special to give Wyatt her special blanket and make him comfortable in his old age.
Codi remembered one night when the boys slept outside and Wyatt ended up sleeping right next to him all night.
Linsey remembered playing with Wyatt before he got to old to run and play.
My dad said his whole life was what he would hold close.
Courtney said she didn't know Wyatt that long, but she would miss him allot.
Shannon remembered his loyalty and love.
Me and my mom had so many memories. Walking with Wyatt was always a treat. When Wyatt would walk with you he would lean his head on the side of your leg. He would always stay so close. Like he was protecting you.
I said there are cats everywhere singing praises. Wyatt was a cat killer in his younger years. We had a cat named Lucky, who turned out to be not so lucky in the end. There were a few small dogs that didn't get to live very long, and a kitten who fell to Wyatt's great jaw.
Rich couldn't think of anything to say, but I know he has so many memories of Wyatt.
My mom remembered how Wyatt would sit right next to the kids when they would play outside. Especially when we went to the beach. He would follow Rich around and stay really close and watch his every move.
I remember when I first got my mustang I would cram this big dog in the back seat and he would hang his head out the window and slobber in the wind. Wyatt loved to go places with me. I would fold down the back seat and he would take up the trunk and the back seat of my mustang and anticipate the oncoming trip.
Some of my fondest memories of Wyatt would be at the beach with Rich and Wyatt. The three of us would hang at the beach and quietly enjoy ourselves.
Every time I came to my parents house he would be there to great me at the door. Until he became too old to walk through the house he would wait for me to come greet him with his tail wagging and his face smiling. He was my brother Wy-Wy.
After his funeral our family sat in the back yard and talked all about how wonderful Wyatt was. He will be missed so badly. Moving on without Wyatt will be such a hard thing to do. No dog will ever be able to fill the Great Dane size hole we all have in our hearts.
Wyatt, you were the best dog. You made such a big impact on this family and you are deeply loved by all of us. Everybody that met you thought you were an awesome dog, but we know you were more than that. You were more than a dog. You were a companion, friend, brother, uncle, son, and guardian. We trusted that you would always watch over us. We trusted that you would always love the other pets in the family. Matty will miss your ears, Elvis will miss your smell, Maggie will miss your company and warmth. Morris probably won't miss you that much, but he will notice that your gone. Snowy will wonder where you went, and wonder around looking for you. Any other dog that comes into this family will know there was a greater being here at one time, and that there are some big paws to fill, if it is possible to fill them at all. I love you Wyatt.
Rest in peace sweet boy. I know when the Lord calls me one day, you will be waiting at those pearly gates for me, and you will prance over to great me and shake my hand like you used to before you became to old to reach your paw up.
Here is Wyatt's final resting place. This is Matty sitting next to Wyatt. Matty is the first cat that was ever able to break through Wyatt's hatred of cats. I don't think Wyatt thought of Matty as a cat, she was his equal after much convincing on her part. The two of them had a mutual respect for eachother, and towards the end Matty would rub all over Wyatt when he was resting in the evenings. It was their routeine. Matty will miss Wyatt alot.
How will we move on without this wonderful dog? I guess we won't move on without him, but with him, in our hearts forever.
This 4th of July I made a mad dash to Walmart and got the kids a Slip N Slide and a pool to play in. The kids had a blast playing in the yard with their new toys. I got some great pictures of them. I laughed so hard at these pictures of their faces coming down the Slip N Slide. 
