Rest in Peace

Today marks 1 week from the day we had a terrible tragedy. Last week on Monday everyone was working to clean out the suburban. Each child had been assigned a different section of the car to just grab all of the stuff and trash out of. Ringo came from the pound as an owner surrender because his previous owners were homeless and had him living in a car with them. Because of this, he was fascinated by being in the car. I believe that while one of the kids was cleaning out the back, he jumped in and by the time the last child got finished(Tanner who is only 5), they shut the car doors not realizing Ringo was still in there in the back. The car was closed up and we came in to eat lunch, then we were outside all afternoon. Had he barked or whined even 1 time, we would have known to get him out. For whatever reason, he didn't. Although it was only 85 degrees out, he must have died shortly after being locked in. Everett went to get something from the car about 5pm and found him. It was horrific. I went in there and shook him, begging him to wake up. I thought I could somehow save him, but when I went to try to pull him out I realized he was completely stiff and I couldn't lift his nearly 70lb body from the car. I became hysterical. I lost it. My best friend, my loyal companion was gone. I couldn't and still cannot believe it. Ringo was by my side faithfully each night standing guard at my bedside while Nate was at work. He enjoyed watering the garden with me each day and jumping and twisting to bite the water coming from the hose. He happily ate all the leftovers and scraps I fed him as he wasn't a big dogfood fan. He was playful, but he also knew when to be quiet, calm and loyal. He loved me so much. He would wait patiently on the living room rug while I talked to him as I mopped the floors. I don't know how he knew, but he never walked on the floors until they dried. I still can't teach my kids that trick. I have cried so many tears, I just never knew how much a person could bond so tightly to an animal, but my dear Ringo was proof that you can. I will never forget him and I wish through all the pain each day that I could bring him back. I am now gulping back hard swallows so I need to leave this post at this. Ringo, I love you so much buddy and if your up there, just know how very sorry I am for not checking that car when everyone was done cleaning it out. I am only sorry I couldn't be as loyal to you as were to me.