A friend asked me to come look at her dog's litter, since we were ready to give our son a dog of his own. When I ventured down the basement to see the 8 newborn pups, it seemed 7 of them all pushed forward and tried to get to us. The one that was squeezed out in the back was a beautiful honey-colored female. Our eyes made contact and my heart melted.

I brought Ginger home for the first time in late February, 1993. She fit so comfortably in my hands at that time, and was frightened to be riding in a car. When we got home, I cleaned her off in the kitchen sink and her tail started to wag.

It didn't stop for almost 13 years.

When 12-year-old Joe arrived home later that afternoon, we introduced him to his new dog. It was, just like with Mom and me, love at first sight. Ginger licked and kissed Joe, climbing all over him, and he just giggled in happiness.

She was a feisty puppy, as all Labs are, and though the first year was trying, she eventually matured into the "best girl in the world". She loved running and playing and fetching, and spent all of her quiet time snuggled up in Daddy's lap, or curled asleep on the end of the bed. Our love for Ginger deepened and deepened. When Ginger was two, we brought Max, a big shepherd mix, into our home and they romped and played together like natural siblings. We knew our family was complete!

Over the years, we moved a couple of times, eventually ending up on a large plot of land with plenty of woods and nature for our beautiful dogs to enjoy. Ginger used to lie on the sloping grass and roll side to side on her back, basking in the warm sun. In the cold winter months, Ginger loved to curl up on the couch in the warmth by the wood stove. Her love was endless, her devotion inspiring and her gentleness unending. When Joe went away to school and started his own life, it was just Mommy, Ginger, Max and me. We had such fun with our dogs, and there wasn't a day that when I rolled up the driveway, my beautiful dogs wouldn't come running down to meet me and tell me how much they loved me. And when Joe would come to visit, the dogs--especially Ginger--would be so excited! More kisses! More love!!

For a really special treat, we'd take them swimming, and Ginger would spend the whole day in the water. She'd sleep like a baby those nights.

We'd go on long walks, until Max's legs began to falter, and Ginger began to limp. She'd never been sick a day in her life, so we were worried. We took her to the vet and after an xray, the dreaded diagnosis of bone cancer was made. We were heartbroken. We looked into options for our beautiful girl, but approaching 13, with her back legs also giving her difficulties, we made the agonizing decision to say goodbye.

Her last days were helped with pain medicine and she slept alot. It was breaking our hearts to see our happy girl in so much pain. Late at night, I'd carry her up the stairs, and lay her down on her big pillow bed, where, with difficulty, she'd sleep the night.

On a cloudy, rainy day here in upstate, NY, the vet came over at four in the afternoon. We knew Ginger would be more comfortable at home than at the vet's office.

Joe and I had given that perfect, little girl a party a bit earlier in the day, with chocolates, cheese, peanut butter, tuna and even a fresh cup of coffee. All her favorite foods.

Mommy was away in Atlanta, but had said her tearful goodbyes earlier. Joe and I crouched down by Ginger and stroked her soft, gentle head. Even Max laid down by us, not quite sure what was happening. We told Ginger how much we loved her and what a great dog and companion she'd been for all these years. Our tears were flowing as the vet inserted the IV. Ginger's tail wagged gently as we spoke to her, and then she just stopped. She laid very still and we cried and cried. Joe wrapped her up in her favorite blanket and carried her to the vet's car. We're having her cremated so we can spread her ashes in all her favorite places.

We will never forget out special "puppy". Ginger, you were the sweetest, most loving dog we could have ever hoped for. We'll always remember those long walks in the woods, how you trembled at the thunderstorms and that tail of yours wagging so hard whenever you were surrounded by your loving family. You taught us so much about love and devotion. We'll miss you forever.

What a terribly sad fact that our puppies don't live as long as we would like. We weren't ready to say goodbye to Ginger. We weren't ready to stop loving her, or for her to stop loving us.

Now that you've crossed the rainbow bridge, sweet girl, you can romp and play like you did almost your whole life. I just know we'll meet again and I can't wait to feel your sweet nuzzle against my leg everytime I come home.

Bark loud, puppy, cause yours will be first voice I listen for...

We miss you and love you and will never forget you.

Daddy