Monday, June 11, 2018

Casey Houdini Westerfeld

It's been exactly a month since Casey went to the Rainbow Bridge, and I realized I never put up a final photo tribute of him. It still doesn't seem real that he's gone. I hesitate when people ask me if I have pets, because I still want to say that I have dogs but I don't right now. It's a strange situation. I'm planning on starting to look at the Boxers in Need page for dogs that need foster homes after June is over. I don't know if I'll be willing to take one yet, but I'm hoping that seeing faces of dogs who need me will help spur me over the hump. Whatever new ones I take in, I know I'll love and make many new memories with. But none of them will be quite like Casey.

Casey got off to a rough start in life. He belonged to a hoarder who kept him in the house when he was a cute little puppy, then abandoned him to a grassless, shadeless backyard in the merciless Texas sun when he was a little older. He was about a year old when pulled by Legacy Boxer Rescue and in dire need of help!


Luckily a loving foster home took him home and got him healthy again. Even more luckily, no one else fell in love with him for those five longs months he was in foster care. I don't know how they couldn't just adore his sweet face and serious personality, but maybe he was just waiting for me.

My first picture of Casey, the night we met


Casey had a solemn face with beautiful, soulful eyes.




But he had his sweet and goofy side too. He was SO good about playing dress-up for me, mostly because he knew he'd get lots of treats and attention for his fun costumes!







He was a wonderful brother, foster and forever! He had a way of making all the dogs who came to our house feel right at home. And he and Cinderella and he and Jessie had very special relationships together that always made me smile.

















He loved his humans too, especially his Boy!





But his favorite place to be, no matter what was going on, was by my side. He was my little Velcro dog and went with me everywhere we could manage it. He was the best snuggler, and I've never known a better dog about sleeping peacefully in the bed with me.














 He was my best friend, the man in my life, my soulmate. There will never be another like him.

20 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful tribute! Thank you for loving them all, with all your heart and soul.

    Hugs,
    Muffin

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  2. my tears are running but you found such wonderful words for your boy... who loved you and who loves his boy :O)))

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  3. That is SUCH a beautiful tribute to your BEAUTIFUL boy!!! We especially love that first picture of the two of you -- you can see the wonderful bond already! And Casey's eyes ... so soulful, so captivating! He will always feel your love.
    Cam, Mags, and our mom

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  4. Hari Om
    Andrea - thankyou for sharing your wonderfurs Casey with us all here in BLgoville. Sending loving thoughts for your healing heart and the next pupster who is awaiting your open heart... YAM xx

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  5. I loved every single photo. especially the 3 in a box. so sweet and Casey was so handsome and sweet. I am happy to hear you will be looking at the foster site soon. I know your heart is broken, it makes me sad and I did not ever meet him. there are so many wonderful rescues out there needing help, I hope you find the perfect pair to foster.. in Casey's memory. He will look down and say well done Mama.

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  6. Andrea...I know this was hard for you but in the same breath it was what you needed to remind yourself of the memories and love that Boxer with the soulful eyes had for his mama!
    2 years ago today the BAR was breaking up...I feel privileged to have met both Prince Casey and Princess Jessie and the best Boxer mama
    Hugs Cecilia

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  7. Ah Andrea our momma read us your post today, and mom had a big stone right in the middle of her throat and could hardly get the words out. We loved your pictures and we loved your memories. We are so glad to be a part of your blogging family, the love and the loss. You will be a great foster, and whoever comes to stay with you will be lucky and blessed. I am glad and sad that Casey and his friend Stellie Rose are together. Sigh........Mags and Gusser

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  8. He is irreplaceable in your heart but I do hope you find room for another who will be lucky to have your love!

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  9. Bentley was my heart dog and I was sure nI could never love another dog as much. Then Samba came along and took that as a challenge. I discovered that my heart is bigger than I thought and there's room for as many dogs as want to live there. No one will ever replace Casey but others will capture your heart on their own ways. You just have to be open and accept their love.

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  10. What a beautiful tribute to your beautiful Casey. No dog will ever be able to take Casey's place but we hope, in time, you can open your heart to another. You are a wonderful mom, Miss Andrea♥

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  11. What a lovely tribute to your special boy.

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  12. Wonderful tribute for a very special pup. Thank you for sharing him with us... his sweet personality shone through in all your posts, as did your love for him. Much love, and may another special pup come your way and start a new chapter.

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  13. Thank you for this pictorial tribute to Casey. He was a wonderful boy. Every pet lover has that one very special one who fills the heart with such love - Casey was that heart dog for you.

    Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber

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  14. What a wonderful tribute to your beloved friend. We wish we could have met him. Hold those memories close, they tend to grow bigger in the days ahead.

    The Johnson's and Abby Lab

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  15. So many wonderful memories you made with Casey. Your love for each other shined.
    We know he will be looking out for just the right foster for you
    hug
    Hazel & Mabel

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  16. What a beautiful tribute for your beautiful boy. We are so glad we had the pleasure of meeting him...
    Hugs!
    Arty & Mama(and Angel Dory)

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  17. What a lovely tribute. great photos and wonderful special memories!Thank you for sharing them with us
    I nose that Casey and Jess are looking round to find just the pawfect pup for you and just when you least expect it...that pup will arrive on your doorstep (just like I did to my peeps!)
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  18. I am smiling so widely after seeing how happy you and Casey made each other. It's written all over your faces when you're together. Of course, now tears are filling my eyes because I know how hard this is for you. Thank goodness that you two found each other and had all those wonderful years together. Your tribute is so beautiful... I just know that he's watching over you.

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  19. Casey was a super special boy ! We are so happy that you, Andrea, found him and that you had each other. Our Mama says that it is better to have loved and lost , than never to have loved at all (actually a literary icon said it first!! ;p) and we agree.Casey had a wonderful life with his family. He truly was one of the lucky ones. We miss him too! Lots of love and hugs from all of us.

    the critters in the cottage xo

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