God doesn't waste>>>>

[Troy Williams]

"Cody, Cody". That is what he was called around the house. Little Baylee heard me call him that as I often did and that is what she called him most times as well.

Thru him I realize alot. Most importantly......God doesn't waste anything.

When Baylee was born so early 2 years ago and Cody and Stone were at the house alone until I could get there daily to care for them, God had a plan. Travis asked if he could take the dogs so I could focus on "everything else". I said no. I needed them! I needed them and it was good for me to get to them everyday. For them to love me and I them. For me to feed them and make sure Cody and Stone were ok. It was a relief and a refuge for me to go them and spend a small part of the day. It allowed me to clear my head and they always made me feel better. It made me feel good to see them get excited when it's feeding time, EVERYDAY! I know kinda wierd but I just so enjoy their excitement. Someone said I was wasting time driving all the way home from the hospital to do that everyday. There was nothing wasteful about it. I used that quiet time to pray over things.

Cody had a perfectly defined purpose before he even hit the ground in July, 2000. He was a used for alot of things. He was there for me whenever I came home. He directed my path. Perfected my path. Encouraged me. Comforted me. A constant for me thru a divorce. Gave me a reason to get out of bed and get to work. While at Steve's for training as puppy, his absence gave me an empty feeling that Steve filled with Stone. Stone has been with me ever since.

Never a minute of Cody's life was wasted! Never a second!! Never a hair on his body! Never a bad day training was a waste. There was fruit in everything we did. Not a dollar spent on him or because of him was a waste! His life plays like a movie in my mind and I smile and am thankfull all thru it.

I got him as a puppy at 8 weeks. Picked him up in the middle of the night at a barn (long story) on the side of Hwy 61 N in Missouri headed to and almost into Iowa going deer hunting. I got there and he wasn't in the cardboard box as the guy said he would be. I panicked a bit, got a flashlight and started looking all around, calling his name (I had already picked it out), whistling, etc. He started to cry. He found his way into a hay barn and was sleeping under a heat lamp. I picked him up and we were headed north just that fast. Had gone only about 100 yds down the road and he was asleep next to me with his head resting on my leg.

He spent the next 7 months of his life never leaving my sight. When we slept he always had to touch. He had this thing about leaning on you in a curl as he slept and when I got up, he got up. When I took a shower I could always see him thru the door laying in the floor. When I went to work, he went to work. When we got to work he would instantly make it around to EVERYONE in the office EVERY morning as if to say "Hi!" I didn't make a move that he wasn't involved in and the same goes for him.

As a puppy he wouldn't eat much; Always too busy for food was my assumption. I had to sit at the bowl with him so he would finish what I thought was enough food so he would grow correctly. I did that for months. I was kind of anal about that nutrition stuff. I wanted the best for him and if it meant I had to sit at the bowl then I had to sit at the bowl. After he left for Steve's he became an eating machine from all the work. His entire adult life his weight ranged from 68-72 lbs. 68-70 in summer and working months and 70-72 during winter hunting months. The day he died he looked like a healthy 3 yr old except for the eye of course.

Cody was a constant unwavering friend with a gentle soul. Always the gentleman with puppies. Loved to work. Beautiful to look at; From his eyes to the tip of his tail. Shined like he was bathed in oil everyday and regularly when leaving the vets ofc people would assume that he was there for a bath and grooming. I would have to tell them that he was there just for shots and really never gets a bath (they couldn't believe it). He could run 29 mph at his peak. Floated thru the air like a cat. Strong & Muscular and could jump straight up a vertical 6 feet without taking a step. Never sick a day in his life. He was a fine competitor and achieved much more than I had anticipated when I set out to get him in the year 2000.

He & Stone have taken me all over the country. He gave me the respect of others thru his accomplishments and hard work. Could make me look incredibly good and sometimes although rarely he could make me look like I had no business in the field. Letters around his name or not! Once at a HT he retrieved a whiskey bottle from a ditch; Brought it back to Steve, heeled and lined up for the last bird like that had to be the exact reason he was driven 3 hours into a neighboring state. It was hilarious!

He changed my life. He changed my group of friends. He gave me new friends. He changed my desires, gave me new directions. Changed my everything! 99.9% of his life was spent with those who genuinely loved him. With me or with Steve at Online Labs! He was at home at either place.

I always said Cody was my once in a lifetime dog. He was! There will never be another one like him & I will always miss him until the end of my days. And that's how it should be.

He is made whole and healthy, strong as ever, and where he is now, I can't wait to meet him again one day. I can't help but think he will be waiting there for me as well!!

He was a complete and eternal blessing to me and God used him just right.

Thanks to all of you who understand, most folks don't. Thanks for your prayers, they are very much welcome, felt & received!

Troy & Family

[Chuck McCall]

Troy,

That's quite a tribute....I think it is safe to say that Cody was a very lucky dog to have you in his life. Thanks for sharing.

Chuck McCall

[goosebruce]

He may have left, but he's not gone. Hes just gone home. He'll be at the door to greet you when its time. travis

[brandonvet]

Sorry for your loss, your tribute to him was special. A great dog like that has a way of reaching into your soul and becoming almost a part of you. Sounds like you made the most out of the time you had and you should be very proud of that.

[Jeff]

Very Nice Troy. Prayers are still coming from down here.

[SkippyJ]

I'm sorry Troy!! Great tribute!!!

Chip

[bigsprig]

Thanks to all of you who understand, most folks don't.

anybody who has ever had a dog should understand. i hate reading these posts, but i always do. i tear up everytime because i realize there will be a day when my best friend is gone and i will fall apart. it reminds me to take advantage of each day we have together. been praying for you.

[muddinram2duck]

Great tribute and sorry for your loss. I completely understand.

[nez]

Troy,

Great post, thanks for sharing. Definitely can tell how blessed you were to have Cody, very nice tribute to him.

Joey

[trooper]

Amen

[T-Bone]

Sorry Troy and thanks for sharing! tony

[Duck Chaser]

Great read Troy!

rip Cody..

[jsherwin]

You Sir are a very blessed man. GREAT TRIBUTE

[CF]

...these dogs of ours are awesome aren't they...

...thanks for sharing Troy...great tribute...sorry for y'alls loss...




...glad I got to see Cody a time or two while he was here...


Craig

[cdwyer]

pretty cool....