
This is not a good bye letter. This is a letter to articulate what people so often wait too long to say. I am fully aware of the fact that I am a human being, and you are a canine, and you can't read English (yet!), but I will read this to you & you will understand me because you understand ME.
Do you remember the day I adopted you as a five week old 7.7 pound puppy from a shelter in Rhode Island? Remember how I had basically no idea what I was doing with a puppy? I carried you around like a football... when I carried you around. You did three flights of stairs within 5 minutes of being home. You were amazing from the moment you entered this world.. and more amazing by the time I had the good fortune to have you enter my life.
You have been my constant companion.. my best buddy.. my training partner.. my assistant.. my heart. You are all of that... And you are my best friend in the world.
You are the catalyst for so many amazing things in my life. When I brought you home, we went to look at a four-wheeler (with my boyfriend, who was quite surprised by the likes of you!), and do you remember what he said? The seller of the four-wheeler said (as you you were playing with his kids), "hate to see that dog in a year" and right then, my life changed forever. A passion blew up in me and I told myself on the ride home, as you slept in my lap... I looked down at you, and I told myself, "I will protect you always. For as long as we are together, I will protect you. And you will be with me until one of us takes our last breath."
Because of you, I live a full life. I've started a company, a non-profit organization, and benefited an incredible community.. because of you. I will always have a soft spot for you. I delight in your happiness, and am eternally grateful for your love on a rough day... You have woke me up from nightmares, laid on my feet in court, swam laps around the island with me, competed in dockdogs side by side, raised and rehabilitated countless dogs, assisted me in classes, traveled all over the continental United States, and been an angel with pit bull wings for our entire time together.
I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for me. You are precious to me beyond words. I have loved many dogs, but you are in a realm all by yourself. I weird my OWN self out with how much I love you. I can't imagine the day that you leave me, because I'm pretty sure I'll have to be scraped off the ground.
There is a quote by an old school trainer John Holmes that says "a dog is not human, and I know of no greater insult to the canine race than to describe it as such." I agree with that. You are not a "furbaby," I am not you're "mommy," but you are the best friend I've ever had in my life. I am privileged to have known you, thankful for your assistance, and forever grateful for your daily presence... you drivey, snobby little dog, you!
With love,
C