Remembering Vinnie

Yesterday, June 25th 2013, we had to say a very sad goodbye to our beloved Vinnie. Vinnie was many things to my family. He was a protector, he was a snuggle partner, he was a spare food cleaner upper, he was entertainment, he was loyal, and he was a friend. Vinnie has been through every major (and minor for that matter) event in my adult life. Some people may not understand a blog post dedicated to a dog, Vinnie was more than a dog, he was family.

Ryan and I moved into our first apartment together in January of 2001, in May we decided to get a puppy. We went to the Delaware Humane Society in search of the perfect friend for us. While we were looking at the dogs in the cages a tech was bringing a very scrawny brindle Pit Bull puppy out from being neutered. The puppy was groggy from the surgery and had a head that was much bigger than his body. We both instantly fell in love with that puppy. We were told that since he was a Pit Bull puppy he was being sent to a Pit Bull foster dog place in Atlantic City, NJ. We knew he was for us and we could not let that happen. We adopted Vinnie that day, of course we had to leave him there for a few days while they did background checks on us and what not. Everyday he was there, we were there. We would go and spend hours with him in the Humane Society until we could finally bring him home.

Vinnie was a VERY active puppy! We could not keep him in a cage (anyone that has a Pit Bull knows of the very LOUD and often annoying cry they do) so needless to say, he destroyed a lot of things. Vinnie was extremely loving from the day we got him. He never showed any signs of aggression, he never gave us a reason to think he was going to "lash out" on us. Actually, anytime we took Vinnie anywhere we always got compliments from people about how pretty he was and how calm his temperament was. The only thing Vinnie did not like very much was other male dogs (a dominance thing in his breed). Vinnie loved nothing more than Gabrielle and Cole.

From the day we brought Gabby home, he was right by her side. If she was in her swing he was under her swing, if she was in the pack n play he was right next to it. Once Cole came along we started putting Gabby in her own room, Vinnie slept every night with Gabby from the time she was 11 months old until his last night with us. Vinnie was caring, that may sound weird because he is a dog, but I remember perfectly him being by my side every day I was sick. After chemo treatments I would come home and lay on my couch for literally a week, he was there on the couch with me. When I would slowly venture into the bathroom for a shower, he would wait outside the door. When I would sit and cry because cancer happened to me, Vinnie would be there licking my face. Even on the last night he was alive, I was sitting on the floor in front of my bed (he was laying with Gabby) and I was petting his face telling him he was a great dog and I loved him. I, of course, was crying and Vinnie, of course, was licking my face. Vinnie would stay by the side of whoever was sick, when the kids had a fever he was right there, when it would storm he would want to cuddle. Vinnie was and always will be a huge part of our family.

Vinnie was a Staffordshire Bull Terrior, he was a smaller breed Pit. Before getting him I was dead against a dog in the Pit Bull family, I am so glad that Ryan changed my mind and we got him. Vinnie was a perfect example that Pits are taught to be aggressive, not born aggressive. He was found on the streets in Wilmington when he was 3 months old, we got him at 3 months and raised him in a loving family oriented house. Because of that, Vinnie was loving and was family focused. He NEVER showed signs of aggression, he did however protect our family to the fullest. No one that Vinnie did not know was able to come in our house, especially after Gabby and Cole were born. He would do whatever he needed  in order to protect my babies. For that, I am grateful. I never was worried about a Pit Bull sleeping in a bed with my kids, I was never worried about leaving him alone in a room with Gabby and Cole when they were babies. He loved them very much and he showed it everyday he had with them. Vinnie was incredible and I will miss him deeply.

Vinnie,

I can not explain the sadness that fills my days now. I wish that I could still sit on the couch and look over and see you at the other end. I know keeping you here was selfish and I am sorry you lived your last few weeks in pain. We were not ready to say goodbye to you. Saying goodbye to you was harder than I could have imagined. You were always there for us, no matter how frustrated we got with you because you chewed up something or because in your last days you had an accident in the house. You never held a grudge. Vinnie, you always made me feel safe and loved. You stayed by my side when I needed a companion the most, you protected and loved my babies more than I could have asked for. You were the bestest friend to Gabby, but she will be ok. She will remember you and smile because of the good times you shared, she will have many pictures to remind her of how amazing her first doggie was.

As hard as it was letting you go yesterday, I know in my heart you are better. Our tears have stopped and our hearts will mend. You could not have loved my family more and you will forever hold a special place in the hearts of 4 people who love you very much.

Rest In Peace Vinnie-Voo!! You are deeply loved and very missed!