Yesterday I Had to Lay My Best Friend to Rest: LILA MONSTER (8/5/08 -

Yesterday, I had to say goodbye to my best friend, Lila Monster. She had been with me for 16 years, ever since she was 8 weeks old. Lila was always the Regal Queen, a lady in every sense of the word, and never did any wrong. For all those years, she guarded the entrance to the bathroom whenever I was in there, as if it was her royal duty.

Lila’s Favorite Pastimes

From birth, Lila’s favorite thing to do was lie by the front window and watch the world go by. She was always on duty, keeping an eye on everything outside. Her favorite treats? Peanut butter and peanut M&M's. Since she was 10 weeks old, she’d always choose those over steak, but if she had to have steak, she preferred it rare rather than raw.

A Lifetime of Loyalty and Strength

In her 16 years, Lila only ever went potty in the house once, and that was her first night at 8 weeks old. She hated walking near any fecal matter, so she always took her time to find the perfect spot—about 15 minutes to be exact. Her favorite toy was her bed, and she helped me rescue at least 12 dogs over the years. Even though each of those dogs attacked her at some point, she always accepted them into her home without hesitation, just like me—helping others despite being hurt.

Lila was a survivor. She beat cancer, pyometra, and endured random dog attacks. At 15 years old, the vet said she had the organs and body of a 3-year-old. I gave her the best life I could, even during times when I could barely afford Purina. As I elevated myself in life, I elevated her quality of life too. Towards the end, she was on Blue Buffalo and homemade protein soup, her favorite treat being jerky or soup bones.

A Fighter Until the End

I’ll never forget the time when, at just a year old, she escaped while I was chasing her and was hit by two different cars. Both times she got up, looked at me, and it was as if she was saying, "That’s all you got?" She was truly a fighter.

Sadly, her death was an accident that could have been avoided. When I came home and found her hiding instead of greeting me with her usual wagging tail, I knew it was time. Any other day, she would have greeted me no matter how much pain she was in.

A Guardian Angel and My Muse

I’ll never be able to forget her, and my heart aches deeply. She was my guardian angel on earth and my muse. I’m not sure how to move forward from this, but for now, it’s one day at a time. I still have three other dogs with me, but it’s not the same without her.

Please, my rainbow family, give her the wings she deserves. I will find the best photo of her to have engraved for her memorial.