Losing Teddy: Saying Goodbye to a Four-Legged Family Member

This past week was a reminder of just how unpredictable Southern winters can be. Snow and ice hit both North Carolina and Georgia, though the impacts were very different depending on where you were. Our Peachtree City office? Cold but manageable, just a light dusting, nothing that stuck. Being on the south side of Atlanta has its advantages when winter rolls in.

Charlotte, on the other hand, got hit hard.

The North Carolina office was closed at the start of the week. Roads were a mess Monday and Tuesday, and even after things started clearing up, we still had team members stuck at home. Some live in areas where the roads stay icy longer, or just aren’t treated at all. We did what we could. Some folks worked remote, others filled in at the office. Everyone chipped in. Not perfect, but we kept things moving.

By Friday, just as things were settling down, the second round hit. Another heavy snowstorm rolled into the Charlotte area. Reports from our team varied, 10 inches at one house, 12 at another. Schools started canceling Monday classes before the weekend even began.

A Birthday Visit That Came at the Perfect Time

In the middle of all that winter mess, something good happened: Noah came home for his birthday.

He and his fiancée flew down Friday to spend the weekend with us. It was great timing. He got to escape the worst of the storm up north and enjoy a birthday weekend with family, me and Holly, my parents, my brother. We even got a little cake, a little laughter, and some time to just slow down.

Holly’s parents were supposed to come over too, but they were both down with the flu. We FaceTimed with them and sent well wishes. That’s life these days, technology filling the gaps when we can’t be together in person.

The Power of a Birthday Song

One of my favorite parts of the weekend wasn’t a gift or a moment; it was a tradition. In our family, we always call and sing “Happy Birthday” to each other. Doesn’t matter where you are, or how old you are—you’re getting a birthday song.

Our kids have picked it up and now do it with their friends. What’s funny is how many people are surprised by it. Their friends will say, “Wait... your whole family calls and sings to people?” But that small moment sticks with people. Sometimes, it means more than any present could.

The Challenge of Post-Christmas Birthdays

Noah’s birthday always sneaks up on us. It’s right after Christmas, which makes gift planning a bit tricky. This year, we had a couple things that didn’t arrive in time for the holidays, so they became birthday presents. It worked out, but trying to make a birthday feel special just a couple weeks after the biggest gift holiday of the year is always a challenge.

Still, we pulled it off. And just having him home, that’s what really mattered.

Saying Goodbye to Teddy

But this week wasn’t all celebrations. Thursday brought something much harder; we lost our dog, Teddy.

Teddy was 11 years old. A Frenchie. That’s a long life for that breed, and he gave us every bit of those 11 years. He’d been slowing down, and we knew he wasn’t in perfect health, but we didn’t expect to lose him so suddenly. He got really sick, really fast, and just like that... he was gone.

Teddy came to us as a foster dog. He had a bad knee and some health problems, and we were supposed to nurse him back to health and get him adopted out. But you know how that goes. He fell in love with Holly, and she fell right back. He wasn’t going anywhere.

For the last 8 or 9 years, Teddy was Holly’s little shadow. If she was in a room, he was never more than three feet away. He followed her everywhere. Always underfoot. Always loyal. Always present.

A House Once Full of Frenchies

If you’ve been with us a while, you might remember that Teddy wasn’t our only Frenchie. We had three: Teddy, Gizmo, and Griffin.

Gizmo was Noah’s dog. Griffin was Sam’s. There was a season when all three were in the house together, playing, napping, tumbling around like a little bulldog gang. It was chaotic and loud and so much fun.

We lost Gizmo and Griffin a couple years back, just six months apart. They were close in age, and they left us close together. But Teddy held on. He was tough. Made it longer. And now, with him gone, it feels like the end of that era.

The Silence Feels Different Now

The house is quiet these days. With the kids in college and the dogs gone, there’s just a stillness we’re not quite used to yet. Me and Holly are figuring it out. It’s a new rhythm, a new season.

But man, we miss him. Teddy was more than a pet. He was part of the family. A constant presence in our home and in Holly’s life especially. His absence is felt in every corner of the house.

Rolling Into the Next Chapter

Even with all the emotions this week, we’ve still got more life to live. My dad turns 75 next week, so we’ve got another birthday coming up, and probably another round of snow, too.

That’s how life goes. Some weeks you’re digging out of snowdrifts, juggling remote work, and singing birthday songs. Some weeks you’re saying goodbye to a best friend. And sometimes, it’s all in the same seven days.

To everyone out there dealing with snow, school closures, flu bugs, or just a quiet house, you’re not alone. We’re all riding the same waves, doing our best to show up for the people we love.

Stay safe, stay warm, and if you’re in pain—call Shane. 980-999-9999.

📞 In pain? Call Shane! 980-999-9999

💼 Shane Smith Law – Personal Injury Attorneys

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