7/11/26 - hi buddy, first week or so without you. It was tough. We see you everywhere, we hear you everywhere. We couldn't be in the house that first weekend. It felt so empty without you. Even though you were always such a calm boy, your presence was so big. It was the worst when we would come home from being out and you weren't at the top of the stairs running down to meet us. The stairs are empty. Your bed is empty. I told josh that first day that I felt ten times smaller. I still do. I'm starting to think of you and smile. But today I sat on your bed and cried. I'm at the park now and all I can think is you would have loved it here. I'm sorry we didn't bring you here more often. There are some big dogs walking here though that you'd hate!! I can just picture you barking at them. Always my little guard dog. Miss you buddy.

7/20/26 - hi my sweet baby boy. We picked up your ashes last week, they had dropped them off at the vet - your least favorite place! They put you in a nice wooden box and they laser-printed your paw print on top. They also gave us a vial of your fur - they got just the right mix of your salt and pepper fur. I put you on the tv stand right next to all the pictures we have of your and your memory jar. I went to move the green blankets yesterday and your navy blanket was right underneath- it still has your smell. I think all the old blankets do. I have your gator blanket and the other navy blanket in your crate still because I want to keep your smell for as long as possible. I just wish you weren't so stinky!! I wish you were here so I could smell your stink though. We're doing ok but we miss you. We'll always miss you.