You were my pet, my companion, my friend and my furry 4-legged daughter. You were loving and loyal and I thoroughly enjoyed your company. You had every quality that I look for in a friend. I know you weren’t human, you were better than human. There is a huge void in my life now that you are gone. I always knew this would happen and I knew it would be painful, but I could have never expected to feel the way I do. I don’t cry quite as often as I did initially, but I could. On your final day (January 11, 2005), the sun was shining, you still wagged your tail and, even considering what must have been going on in that little body, you were happy to be going for a ride. The decision was difficult, but it was the only one that could be made. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, saying goodbye to you.

I miss. . .

The feel and smell of your fur, the softness of your ears.
Kissing you on the warm spot between your eyes.
Brushing you.
Hugging you.
Holding your paw.
The unabashed joy with which you greeted me whenever I walked in the door whether I was gone 5 minutes or 5 hours.
The whole body happiness you expressed at seeing your friends on 2 legs or 4.
The look of your face when you knew you were going for a ride in the car (and you always knew).
Having you in bed with us on a weekend morning.
Sharing French fries with you (and the occasional sip of beer).
Watching you beg as we cut potatoes.
Sending you after the squirrels.
Playing ball, frisbee and hide and seek with you.
Hearing you “speak”.
Just sitting quietly and knowing you were there.
The staring contest that began at 6:30 p.m. (treat time being 7:00 p.m.)
Your love of treats and food; although it was the same thing day in and day out, you ate with gusto.
Looking into your perfectly lashed eyes.
Buying you presents.
Watching you wiggle around on your back on the grass
Taking you for walks.
I miss caring for you, cleaning your ears, giving you “manicures” and, yes, even monitoring your diabetes.
I will miss watching you dive off the dock and watching you swim, the cottage will never be the same without you.
I will miss watching you play in the snow.
I miss the way you made me feel. No other dog will ever have the effect you had on me. There will be other dogs, but no other will ever fill your “shoes”.
I love and miss you tremendously and I look forward to the time when I can see you again.

All my love,
Mama