The suffering ended July 1st 1998 10:45am. 17 wonderful years came to an end that day as my dog & best friend passed on. Tammy was always there for me- when I would have a bad day I came home to a few licks on the cheek, and a tail that wouldn't stop waging, and I would soon forget about my problems. When I would dissapear from her sight she would always look to see where I went. June 12, 1998, one day after her 17th birthday she fainted in the car, I thought she just fell and would be O.K. Unfortunatley after fainting again 3 days later she was diagnosed with a heart valve leakage. She was given medication for the problem, but she wouldn't be the same for her remaining time. One week before she died, she stopped eating and became very weak, and on that Wednesday morning her heart said it was time. As I sit here today I remember all of the fun we had together- rides in the car, camping, walking, chasing each other, and so on. I miss her dearly and wish we could have had more time together, but the 17 years of happiness she gave me made me a better person and I will always remember her for the sweet dog she was. TO TAMMY- I sit here feeling very empty and lonely for the first time since you came into my life 17 years ago. When I come home I still look for you to come up to me and lick my hand and then walk to the door to go outside. I still wake up in the morning expecting you to be by my bed waiting for me to let you outside. When I ride past Hardees I think about the many times we sat and ate lunch in the car. I still think about the times we would sing the Panda-doggy songs :) I knew you werent going to be around forever, and I cherished your presence each and every minute during the last few years. I hope you understand that I tried my hardest to control your heart problem, and I was hoping we would be celebrating your 18th birthday next year, but I want you to know that you were as tough as nails through this whole situation, and it was just your time. I dont know what the future will be for me, its too hard to think that far, but I do know that it wont be the same without you. If another dog enters my life down the road, I hope you can understand that he/she is not filling your shoes, and is not your replacement. No dog could ever come close to replacing you, girl. I would surley let the dog know that he is following the best. Finally Tammy, I want to say THANK YOU for being in my life for all of those years, I wouldn't be taking this so hard if you didnt mean that much to me. I could go on and on about all we did and how much you meant to me, but my hands would fall off from typing so much! I will remember you every day for the rest of my life!!! GOODBYE GIRL