As a puppy you brought joy and excitement to our family. As a young dog you brought playfulness,entertainment and understanding. As an older dog you brought comfort, companionship and the familiarity that only many years together could enable. Most important however is that through all of your over 16 years, you always brought unconditional love to our family. Regardless of how stressful or upsetting our days might have been, you were always there to snuggle in the crook of our necks and give us kisses that made whatever problems we came home with fade away. You had many wonderful and unique qualities that we looked forward to experiencing ever day. For instance; you were a great leaper, a very elusive and darting runner, you had a big bark that could scare away would-be intruders, yet in reality all you probably would have done is lick them to death. You were so smart and you had a vocabulary that many teenage students would love to have. You were one of the great sleepers of all time and you were the best singer we ever heard. Quite simply, you were an incredible addition to our family and we are all better people today for having had so many years with you in our lives. We miss you so much right now as the pain of your passing is like an open wound that we feel will never heal. Despite the pain, we choose to celebrate your life rather than mourn your death. To have had over 16-years of wonderful, loyal, loving days is definitely a reason to celebrate. We want to thank you Vito, for always being there, always understanding and always loving us no matter what. When our time on Earth comes to an end, we look forward to joining you in the arms of the Lord, for it is there that we will share in his everlasting light and love. While we can only dream about how wonderful heaven must be, you my son are basking in the warmth of eternal paradise. No more pain in your joints and each breath you take is deep & full. Your heart beats strong and your vision and hearing are perfect. There are no more thunderstorms and every place you lie down is covered in soft, silky pillows. Save a couple of spots for us Vito.........
Until we see each other again...
All of our love forever,
Mommy & Daddy

August 9, 2008
Hi Doogies! I had a dream about you last night. I was so happy to see you because I have missed you so much. You were all well, like you used to be. I was very sorry to wake up in the middle of it. I hope I dream about you every night. This house is very empty without you here and everyone is so sad. Today is Daddy's birthday and I am having a big party for him. I know you will be here in spirit because you haven't missed any of his birthdays in fifteen years. It isn't going to be the same since you aren't physically here though. I miss you laying next to me on the couch every night and I miss you sleeping with me. I have a very hard time talking about you without crying and I am trying to get past that. I know that you are doing well at Rainbows Bridge and I know you have lots of friends. I was kind of worried because we always treated you like a little boy. I don't think you ever thought you were a dog, so hopefully you have figured that out by now. I am so glad that you aren't in pain anymore Veetee. It was hard watching you struggle to breathe. Your little heart just couldn't take it anymore. The worst thing of all is that we didn't know that was the last day we would ever see you on this earth again. I wanted to run out of the doctors office with you in my arms so bad. We had tried everything in the world to get you well and you were getting worse everyday, we couldn't let you suffer anymore puppy. I will talk with you again soon, and hopefully I will see you in my dreams again tonight. I am sending you big kisses! I love and miss you.
Mommy

Hi Veetee,
I have missed you so much in the last couple of days. I have cried for you so many times. I actually hide my tears or else people will think I have lost my mind. I miss you and I love you so much and I know that you love me. We had some landscaping done to the front yard. Do you remember what it looked like? It was a mess. Now, it looks like something out of a magazine. I have decided that we planted the Blue Spruce in your honor. I will nurture it just like I did you. I am waiting for your ashes so that we can have a memorial in your honor with the kids. They miss you Vito. You were always a part of everything. You were always so gentle with them, even when they were babies. I will try really hard to dream good dreams about you tonight. I need to see you. I am sending big kisses to you as always. I love you and miss you my little boy. Mommy

Veetie,
It has been one week since you passed. I love you and miss you so much. I hope you are having fun at Rainbows Bridge. I wish that I could hold you and give you big kisses. I cry many tears for you, love, Mommy

August 23, 2008
Hi Doogies! Mommy and Daddy miss you so much! I wish I could give you big kisses and hugs. We think and talk about you a lot. As you know, we got a new Shih Tzu puppy last weekend. His name is Rocky and he is two months old. He is the cutest thing, just like you were. Sometimes he will do something that reminds me of you and it makes me miss you even more. He is very mischievious and he has way more energy than we have. No dog will ever replace you Vito, you have your own special place in our hearts, and that will never change. We also got your ashes last week. Daddy went and got them. Your ashes were in a sealed cherry box with your name plate on it. Also, there was a lock of hair with a ribbon around it in a little plastic bag, and an impression of your paw print on some kind of hardened clay. I cried when I held your box. I can't believe that you are gone. I hope you are having fun at Rainbows Bridge and I know you miss us. We will be there someday, but until then, we will keep ourselves busy and remember what a great little boy you were. We love you so much Veetee! Love Mommy

Hi Veetee,

Mommy thinks about you a lot. You will never know how much I miss you. I am so glad that we were able to have you for over 16 years! The new puppy is so different from you. He is not as sweet to me as you were. I am having a real hard time with him because he bites me and he doesn't mind me at all. We need your help with him. We are going to take him to obedience training because we don't know how to stop him from acting like he does. We will get through this, it is just going to take time. I hope you have made lots of friends at Rainbows Bridge and that you are breathing better and your heart is feeling good. I will see you in my dreams doogies!

September 2, 2008
Hi Veetee,
Mommy has been thinking about you all day. I have your picture as desktop background at home and at work, and so does Daddy. I always blow you a kiss and say I miss you to myself. I keep calling the new puppy Vito, it is very hard not to say that after I said it for 16 years. I just wanted to tell you that I miss and love you. Some days are very hard for me, I hope they aren't hard for you.

October 23, 2008
Hi Doogies,
I have thought about you a lot today. With Halloween coming up I was thinking about how Daddy would zip you up inside of his jacket with your head sticking out while we sat outside to hand out Halloween candy. You were such a good little boy. The kids always asked if they could play with the puppy, little did they know how old you were. I sure do miss you. I miss you laying with me on the couch at night. You were my cuddling/sleeping buddy. I love and miss you Veetee. I send you big kisses.
All my love, Mommy

January 6, 2008,
Hi Doogies,
We have been thinking about you a lot. Especially at Christmas. I put your ashes beside the manger on the fireplace mantle. I will always include you in our daily lives. We miss you more than you could ever know Veetee. Your new brother, Rocky has calmed down a bit and is starting to behave a little. He is still biting a lot and I am not sure why he is reacting this way. You know that we treat him like a king, but he doesn't know how good he has it. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, it wasn't the same without you here.I know you are getting along with all the other animals there and are having fun because you are all better. I am so glad, but that doesn't stop Mommy and Daddy from missing you terribly. Big hugs and kisses are coming your way!
All our love forever and ever, Mommy and Daddy

March 8, 2008,
Hi Veetee,
I miss you very much. I hope you're doing okay. I still miss you everyday and things just aren't the same without you here with us. Your little brother is doing a little better. but he is a chubby thing. He weighs more than you ever did! But he wasn't the runt of the litter like you were. I am hoping that Spring is just around the corner and we can finally have some warmer weather. I was just thinking about you and wanted to say I love you. Hugs and kisses puppy!
Mommy

March 20, 2009
Hello Veetee,
I am sorry that it has been a year since I have written to you. I think about you all the time, and you know that. I love you so much, and I miss you more than you could ever know. I pray that all is well with you. I have your ashes here with me, but I know that you are at Rainbow Bridge having a great time. I am so looking forward to seeing you again. Our new Shih Tzu Rocky, has helped fill some of the void, but he is nothing like you. You are my little angel, and I will love you forever.
I love you, Big hugs and kisses to my baby. Tears...Your Mommy

Hi Puppy,
I miss you and think about you all the time. Rocky has the exact same coloring as you, but he is not you in personality. But when I look at him, I still think of how much you two look alike. I know all is well with you and things at Rainbows Bridge is the place that we can only dream about. I love you! Big kisses and hugs are coming your way!! Mommy

August 20, 2011
Hi Vetee, we think of you all the time and still miss you as much as ever. I hope you are happy in Heaven and we will be so happy when we see you again. Your little brother is now 3 years old and he has settled down. He is a Daddy's boy and you were Mommy's boy. Someday you will get to meet him. He is much more feisty than you ever were, but you would love each other. Rest well Vito! We love you and miss you! I am attaching a picture of your little brother Rocky.

Hi Puppy,
We miss you so much! I think about you often and when I run across a picture of you, it always brings a tear to my eye. I hope you are well and are having fun at Rainbows Bridges. I can't wait to see you again, but not now...Until then, keep that spot next to you warm for me. I love you. Mommy

Hi Vito, We miss you so much. I hope you are having fun at Rainbows Bridge. We will be together again someday!
Love, Mommy

Hi Vetee, we love and miss you so much. We wish you could be here with us and your little brother.

Hi Vito, its been a long time since I've been on here to write you. But you know that I think about you all the time, don't you. I found this poem and I thought you would like it. It made me cry for you again today. I will always love you.

I Stood By Your Bed Last Night
by Author Unknown.........................................

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying,
You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you so softly
As you brushed away a tear,
"It's me, I haven't left you -
I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."
I was close to you at breakfast,
I watched you pour the tea.
You were thinking of the many times
Your hands reached down to me.
I was with you at the shops today,
Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels,
I wished I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today,
You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you that I am not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house
As you fumbled for your keys.
I gently put my paw on you,
I smiled and said, "It's me."
You looked so very tired and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know
That I was standing there.
It's possible for me to be so near you every day.
To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."
You sat there very quietly, then smiled,
I think you knew....
In the stillness of that evening
I was very close to you.
The day is over now...
I smile and watch you yawning,
And say, "Goodnight, God Bless,
I'll see you in the morning."
And when the time is right for you
to cross the brief divide,
I'll rush across to greet you
And we'll stand side by side.
I have so many things to show you,
there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out....
Then come home to be with me

Hi Vetee! I miss and love you so much sweetie
. I hope you are going to greet me when I cross over. You are the best dog ever. YOU HAVE LEFT MY LIFE, BUT YOU WILL NEVER LEAVE MY HEART!