For me, Sparky opened my heart to love all animals and quell my fear of them. I used to be deathly afraid of most things when I was very young, but Sparky taught me the capacity of love that animals have and I am forever grateful to him. His favorite place was definitely staying at home, where he found the most comfort surrounded by his family. In the warmer days, he loved lazing around in the yard, sun bathing and chasing the squirrels around our fence.

Sparky grew up through a lot of pivotal moments in me and my brother's life. From our childhood to our elementary school, high school, and university graduations, a lot of our core memories were shared with Sparky.

It was fate that brought him to us. When I was at school and the rest of my family was out, they visited a breeder. Sparky noticed my brother and was the one to call for his attention. From there on, he was and always will be a cornerstone in our lives.

Sparky loved his squeaky bone toys and chewing on his blue chewable bone. He'd often get the toys stuck under the couch and come find one of us to get it out. Having him run to us and then guide us to get his little toys back was one of the most adorable actions I ever witnessed, and it's painful not having it around.

We'll miss his little nails clacking on the floor as he moves around the house seeking love and attention. His fast ascents up the stairs as he comes to nap with us. His very affectionate barks and when he grabs your hand to pull towards him when he wants a rub or pet.

Nothing is the same without him and the hole he has left is a testament to how big of an impact he had in our lives and how much we loved him and he loved us. I will especially miss his company at night, making sure I never slept alone. He would wake me up throughout the night to use the washroom in the yard because he didn't want to make a mess in the house, but now I wake up throughout the night thinking about him. We hope you're having fun on the other side, and always know that you're so deeply loved by all those whose lives you touched.

Until we meet again my love.

"When tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me,

I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,

And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
And all the fun we had.

If I could re-live yesterday
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne.

He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past.

You have been so faithful,
So trusting and so true.
Though there were times
You did some things
You knew you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven
And now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand
And share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart."

- David M. Romano, 1993

2024-11-23: We brought your ashes home from the vet 16 days after you left this world. I felt a wave of relief having finally tucked your urn inside your little house by the corner of the sofa. Mom and dad wrapped your blanket around you as they moved you deeper into the dog house. We all grieved again for you, and for me the days when it hit feel the same as the first. But it was comforting being able to say good night to you in some way, and to remind you that I love you. Not a day has gone by where I don't think of you, and not a day goes by where I wish you weren't here.

2024-12-13: Your paw print and frame came in today. Mom picked it up since I was with Sharon that evening. Your paws look so small and delicate, I wish I could hold them again. It's been 42 days since you left this world and it has been one of the longest months of my life. I miss you and think of you every day and I just wish I could hold you in my arms again.

2024-12-18: I went to the backyard to move some stuff around for the holidays, it's going to be our first one since we got you where we're spending it without you. I found a toy ball you used to play with in your poop area and cleaned it up. It's with your shrine area now with all your other belongings. No one's been taking it well and I think mom and dad want to get another pup to try and fill the hole. I wouldn't mind another baby, but it's so hard to think of how I would love them when I still grieve so deeply for you.

2024-12-25: Our first Christmas in a long time without you. It's going to be the start of many firsts with you and it pains us all not having your presence here. I wish we showered you with more gifts during the holidays. Merry Christmas my angel.

2024-12-29: It's dad's birthday today and just as quickly as Christmas came and went, we celebrated the first birthday without you here in a long time. The years coming to a close and the reality that you're not going to be here going into next year is so painful.

2025-01-07: Cheers to the New Year my baby boy. The first year in a long time without you. I wish you were with us to see the New Year. I can only hope you're resting peacefully. Your brother came and went from Kingston and grieved for you. We all miss you dearly.

2025-02-24: Your brother came to visit again the past week. It feels like there's some normalcy in our lives again. But I still dream of you and how I couldn't save you. I know I shouldn't be so hard on myself, but I feel like no matter how old you end up living, it wouldn't have made it any easier. We met this elderly precious shepherd at this furniture shop this weekend. Sharon and I started moving in together and came across this furniture shop on marketplace. He was a loving dog and loved to lick like you did. It feels like it's only getting harder to even see other dogs and the possibility of raising another grows less and less as I miss you more and more.

2025-03-14: We buried your ashes with your urn in the yard today. Mom and dad are too superstitious of not putting you to rest and would prefer scattering your ashes, but your brother is against moving you from anywhere other than your house. You don't just belong to me and your brother, so the best compromise we could find was to bury you in a flower pot and rest you in the yard. Sharon came to see you off, we said our parting words and it felt like saying goodbye all over again. Wherever you are, we hope you can rest now and know that we will always love you and think about you everyday.