I was 13 and looking for a Pomeranian, but you needed at home. At first, I wasn't sure if I wanted a Chihuahua, but one look at you and I was in love.

My mom saw you, curled up in her bed and she couldn't resist you. We couldnt have pets, the manager said, but we fought to keep you. You stayed with us and when we moved you came with us. You were with us in all of our travels, road trips and adventures. No one was allowed to disrespect you, if anyone had a problem with your hair shedding or raucous personality, we told them who was top dog.

You waited for me everyday by the window for me to get home, from middle school, high school, college and grad school. You were always there. When you were hungry you knew were your food was and at what time you ate, every morning at 7 am and every evening at 6 pm you would remind us, thinking we'd forget.

We went to obedience school, so we would learn how to listen to you :) You were the boss, you always did as you pleased and you always protected us. You knew how to differentiate between the neighbor's car from our cars and knew when it was one of us coming home. Even in your old age, you would celebrate our arrival.

You knew when we were really going out and when we only went out to get the newspaper or check the mail. No one fooled you.

Our lives although not perfect, were happy... you were around and you gave us your little shoulders to cry on when no one else was around. You kept our secrets and our fears and you never cared whether you were riding on bucket or a luxury car, as long as we were together you were happy and so was I.

And then that fateful Summer night, when you collapsed and we feared the worst. All we asked for was that you'd make it to your 13th b-day, which you did... we thought you were home-free. We were wrong. 7 weeks after your birthday, we had to make the most difficult decision ever, keeping you would have been selfish, you were suffering, you no longer had the life you so much loved. So we held you and talked to you as your eyes could no longer see. After, we held your little body one last time and cried over it, knowing it would be the last time in our lifetime that we would be holding you... we kissed you and hugged you and asked God why??? but in the end we understand, you belong to him and he lent you to us... and we will see each other again. Our hearts have a big hole, our home is empty, but our memories are filled with happiness and love for those wonderful 13 years together.
Now I look at the girls, yes the girls that came after you, so much younger, both of them Chihuahuas and I remind them that if not for you they wouldnt be here today, although not related to you by blood, they are Chihuahuas and they must always honor you, my dear Keebler.