We unexpectedly said goodbye to our beloved Jersey boy this week.
For nearly 14 years, he’s been our constant companion. Kyle and I got him in our first year of marriage, and despite the fact that we intended him to be a wild farm dog—chasing cows and living outside—I quickly fell in love. Suddenly the girl who wasn’t a dog person was buying dozens of squeaky toys, snuggling with my puppy on the carpet, and setting up a webcam in the kitchen so I could watch him while I was at work. We took walks on the farm every day and when he wasn’t in Kyle’s truck, he was by my side.
Even as we added kids and chaos, Jersey was always around—napping in my closet, running to greet visitors, and howling along every time we sang Happy Birthday. He loved long walks with Grandpa (my dad), burrowing in piles of leaves, and wrestling with Kyle. He could hear me open a bag of shredded cheese from anywhere in the house and lay next to my bed every night. He slowed down as he got older but still had the heart of a puppy (especially when the words “walk” or “bacon” were involved).
My kids have never known a life without Jersey. He was here to sniff each of them when they came home from the hospital and, even though he was smart enough to know he was being usurped, he grew to accept them when he realized how much food they dropped on the floor. The kids delighted in giving him too many treats, rubbing his belly, and competing for space with him in the sandbox.
There’s so much I want to say about grief and pain and how I can’t breathe when I walk into my closet and see the worn spot on the rug where he loved to lay. But for today, I want to remember all the good he brought into our lives.
Jers, we loved you so much and will miss you more. Forever grateful you were part of our family.
For nearly 14 years, he’s been our constant companion. Kyle and I got him in our first year of marriage, and despite the fact that we intended him to be a wild farm dog—chasing cows and living outside—I quickly fell in love. Suddenly the girl who wasn’t a dog person was buying dozens of squeaky toys, snuggling with my puppy on the carpet, and setting up a webcam in the kitchen so I could watch him while I was at work. We took walks on the farm every day and when he wasn’t in Kyle’s truck, he was by my side.
Even as we added kids and chaos, Jersey was always around—napping in my closet, running to greet visitors, and howling along every time we sang Happy Birthday. He loved long walks with Grandpa (my dad), burrowing in piles of leaves, and wrestling with Kyle. He could hear me open a bag of shredded cheese from anywhere in the house and lay next to my bed every night. He slowed down as he got older but still had the heart of a puppy (especially when the words “walk” or “bacon” were involved).
My kids have never known a life without Jersey. He was here to sniff each of them when they came home from the hospital and, even though he was smart enough to know he was being usurped, he grew to accept them when he realized how much food they dropped on the floor. The kids delighted in giving him too many treats, rubbing his belly, and competing for space with him in the sandbox.
There’s so much I want to say about grief and pain and how I can’t breathe when I walk into my closet and see the worn spot on the rug where he loved to lay. But for today, I want to remember all the good he brought into our lives.
Jers, we loved you so much and will miss you more. Forever grateful you were part of our family.
Modern Farm Wife 
So sorry….losing a furry family member is so tough! 14 years is how long our kids’ big collie lasted. Lots of great memories, tho. ❤️
Thanks so much, Holly. ❤️❤️