Dear Max,

Your 1 year anniversary of crossing over the rainbow bridge will be coming up in a couple of months and the hole in my soul that was created when you died is still there. I miss you so much. You came to me as if you were a Christmas present sent to me from Bogart. We even found you under the hood of Dad's car covered in oil and grime just like I found Bogart all those years ago. I still remember that dirty orange and white kitten that I scooped up and carried inside straight to the kitchen sink for a bath.

You were my Buddy. You greeted me with a "hello" every morning and you would curl up on the couch with me in the evening. I miss hearing you sing as you hunted toy mice through the house. I miss waking up in the morning and finding the pile of toy mice that you left for me in front of my bedroom door.

Fifteen years just was not enough time. I was looking forward to having your company for at least the next five years.

You and I fought so hard to get you well. You were so patient with every feeding and every dosing of medication. But in the end, neither of us were strong enough for your cancer. I am so sorry, Max. I am so sorry I failed.

Even though Salem, Bounder and Patches (as well as Willow) are still here and Bounder has started singing and hunting toy mice in the evening. It is not the same.

When we took you to the Vet's to put you to sleep one last time, I tried so hard to make it easy for you. I asked for an IV shunt and for them to give you a tranqulizer. I gave you a big dose of your pain meds before we left. I hope you went without fear or pain. I hope in the end, I did right by you.

Our house seems so empty with just 3 cats and a dog. I keep waiting for a kitten to show up on my doorstep to make our family complete. If it shows up all dirty and grimey, I'll know you sent him.

Love,

Mom

Dear Oscar,

June 17, 2014 will forever hold a place in our hearts as the day we bid you good-bye. I’ll never forget as daddy’s truck pulled away, you in the front seat on a towel. At one time, you would be jumping up and down looking out the window, wagging your tail and watching us wave at you. That day, however, you could barely raise your head as you took your final journey to the vet. Not a dry eye was found as the neighbor’s watched Gregory chase the truck down the road. I’m sure you must have heard his cries as he begged daddy to stop and not to take you away. After all, you were his bestest friend and the first to greet him when we brought him home from the hospital as an infant.

Remembering back to 2005 as I looked through all the adoptable Dachshunds on the rescue site, I still see your face and recall reading your bio written by your foster mom: “Oscar loves stealing socks so watch out!” When we decided to adopt you and have you join “sister” Courtnie, another rescue Dachshund, you waltzed into our home as if you owned it. From that moment on, you did, and our hearts as well. When Gregory joined us in 2006, we were nervous, as you were a jealous pup, and we held our breaths bringing him home. You were a kind little soul, guarding the baby against Courtnie (but we soon learned it was because he threw Cheerios on the floor for you to catch). You grew together and were often found chasing soccer balls in the yard and sliding down his playhouse slide. We bought you an “indestructible” ball and it is still too raw for us to move it from where you left it in the yard. You adored children and taking Gregory to and from school, and they, in turn, loved “Mr. Meyer.” We always tried to remember to tie on one of your bandanas.

We took such good care of you, Oscar, but sadly, like people, everyone at one point or another becomes ill despite the care, no matter how excellent it is. The vet noticed your blood work was off on one of your visits and advised us you were in renal failure. We took precautions and bought special food which you despised, and provided medication which would help carry you into June. The vet was amazed your will to live was so strong; she was not so hopeful when you had first been diagnosed, especially since you had surgery for a tumor in March.

Everyone adored you – even the surgeons at the emergency clinic who met you for only a day. Once they heard of your passing sent our family a lovely fruit arrangement. All I could think of as we enjoyed it was “if Oscar were here, he would be begging for a strawberry!” We knew when you wouldn’t eat your favorite – cheese and baloney, that your time was nearing and I couldn’t allow you to suffer. Your breathing was so terribly labored, your breath, uremic – a sure sign of renal failure. Your once-shiny coat had turned dull and your hair had begun to fall out in clumps. You had lost so much weight and our “little sausage” was so frail.

Daddy called after you were gone letting us know that you had passed away peacefully at 12:12 PM, your paw in his hand. You simply closed your eyes and went to sleep. You were now at peace, at The Bridge, and ready to take on new adventures, steal yet more socks, and prepare for our someday-arrival. And when I hear the clicking of your nails on the hardwood floor and see a soccer ball rolling across the backyard by itself, I’ll simply smile, knowing you are with me still.

See you in my dreams, Oscar. I love you.

Farewell, Friend, but not “farewell.”

Where I’ve gone, you too, shall dwell.

I am gone before your face –

A little time, a little space.

Once you’ve walked where I have stepped,

You will wonder why you wept.

• E. Arnold

Love,

Mommy

Dear Maggy,

You were a companion sent from heaven especially for us. Sent at just that perfect moment in life when I needed you the most. You came as a puppy Christmas 2004, barely 6 months old, born May 29th, 2004.

On February 5, 2005 I was in a terrible accident and lost my right leg. Although I was really very fortunate to have survived I felt my life had just as well ended instead of being crippled the rest of my life. Ten days in the hospital and returning home, you were there so happy to see me home again. With much healing to go through, you were constantly at my side. If I moved, you moved. Often you were even in bed with me, just watching over me.

I didn't think I'd ever be able to do much again. Wouldn't be able to take the walks with you that you always looked forward to or play tug of war which you usually won. But you insisted that I get back up, get the prosthetic on and go on with life. You really were my physical therapist, pulling on me all the way.

The years rolled by and you were always with us no matter where we were headed. Travelling cross country or down the coast, you were there for the adventure. So many photos were taken of you posing with us or all the other family members. Everybody loved you and you loved everybody. Being a St. Bernard, you were special in so many ways and filled with 100% pure love.

Suddenly one day out of the blue you began to limp on your left front shoulder. A quick visit to the veterinarian thinking is was but a sprain because the way you jumped around for such a large dog. Two hours later after the X-rays revealed a massive bone cancer had totally destroyed much of the bone structure in your left shoulder. There was nothing that could be done the Vet said. There was amputation and chemotherapy that may prolong your life for another year but there would be much discomfort and pain.

The hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life I made on May 30, 2014. One day after Maggys' 10th birthday. It was my decision to make and mine alone. I couldn't bare to see you suffer but I could be there with you to help you to a better place without pain or discomfort.

Goodbye Maggy,

I love you and miss you so much

Peace,

Bobby & Patsy

Dear Samantha,

A dream came true the day I hugged you for the first time, you marked the beginning of so many good things with a couple of bitten shoes...

I miss you and I am very sorry not being able to be with you in your last hours, even when you gave me every second of you existence...

I always thought you were going to pass away on my arms, knowing that I was there for you, I'm really sorry...

Silver eyes, golden heart, your brothers and sisters are still looking for you all around the house, both your mom and I love you so much...

I still don't have the huge house for you, I guess time ran out on us, I miss your fluffiness, and your never-ending hunger, to you goes all the fried chicken, burgers, pizzas and pork I'll ever have.

In tear I say see you soon, this is not a good bye, for you will always be a part of me...

I love you

P.D.

I hope you are happy where ever you are...

Missing You,

Mom and Dad

Dear Monster Pee Wee Posey,

Hello My Dear Sweet Saint, Words cannot tell you how much you are missed. The color left my world and only a shell of me remains without you. I try everyday because of you. HOW you Loved and Lived Life Inspires me. Always honoring God for your life.

I think back to the day that God led me to you in that horrible pet shop, so alone and abused. So tiny and yet a World of Love already waiting to give. You quickly became my reason to live again. You brought back Color and Love to my life. As time would march on, You opened so many doors of my heart and Soul that I had shut up and thought I would never open again. You were sent to me to remind me and re teach me the things I needed to live again. My walk with God, YOU and YOU alone re established. And how amazingly you did that. I saw an endless amount of Love and Compassion in You that would and could change anyone. Loverbug, Buster misses you. I am taking care of him for you. He will never forget You or Your Name.

I allowed you to live and enjoy things but I was irresponsible too. I simply just wanted you to be Happy in every way. Often forgetting the dangers of this world

Sweet Boy. I can't begin to tell you what I miss the Most because there was NO part of you that was common or simple. Every single day of your Amazing life, I told YOU how YOU simply "amazed" me. Your intelligence seemed to expand and to the point that You seemed to become the caregiver. There was NO creature Big or Small that You didn't love, have amazing compassion for and take responsibility for. I watched as all creatures wild and tame seemed to "Know" you too. You Garnered respect from so many things that I Thanked God everyday for allowing you to Share Your Amazing Life with me. I wondered what I did to deserve You and Your Love but It was something I needed rather than deserved. God knew that. I am humbled by YOU. I always was. NOTHING Can or will ever teach me what you did. You were not my Dog, but my Son and in so many ways, my "Compass". How you Took to and Comforted the sick people or sad people around you. You were so misunderstood because Creatures like you are so rare that people can be blind by nature. I will ALWAYS THANK GOD for our Walk together. I still wake up in the middle of the night and reach over to put my hand on you, YOU are NOT there. I wake up crying and everything is Brand New. The Pain, The Loss of something more than a companion but my Inspiration, my Reason to live, ALL of my Happiness and ALL of the innocence that came back into my heart like a child. GOD knows that you put an innocence back in me that we all loose as we grow up. You just filled so many shoes that boundaries became blurred and non existent. You were in many ways my Baby, My Child and yet, My Leader. My Admiration for you was limitless. You never belonged to me but was MY GIFT from God that simply Shared my Burdens. You had to bear the weight of my weaknesses in so many ways but You always ROSE to the Occasion. All I can do is spend hours on my Knees Thanking God for Appointing something so Great in my life. That is just the way you came to me. Even before you even weighed a pound, it was like you were on a mission and I recognized that. Not because I knew I needed it but because YOU showed me I needed it. The GIFT you gave me upon your departure was Just the way you Lived your Beautiful Life. Without that, I could not stand this pain. Thank God and Thank You my Sweet Saint. LOVE HAS NO END. Until God reunites us, I will simply exist. In God's Bosom REST. You Earned it Sweet Saint.

Love,

Eternally Your Soul Mate, Daddy

Dear Keltie,

I miss you so, so much. I can't even describe how much I miss you right now. I still feel bad about not getting out of the car. I should have said something to you, I'm SO sorry! I love you so much! I will never forget you. I hope to find some way to remember you, maybe in a song, or a poem, some way. We went up in the snow today, and all I could think of, was your love for the snow. I miss you so much, but you are always in my heart. I love you.

Peace,

Peyton

Dear Jaspurr,

What a delight and joy you’ve brought to us over our many years together. I know that your journey has taken you to a different place and we don’t have you with us physically to pet and snuggle, but in our hearts and in our minds you live with us every day.

I’ve seen you in moments when I’m sad or down and am reminded of you whenever the sun is upon my face. I take in the love that is all around us and remember your lessons of letting the happy times sink in. You never missed out on the sunrays, as they cascaded through the window, and I too love to have them upon me.

It is hard sometimes to feel that we did everything we could, but I never saw you afraid and you trusted me completely, as we and the veterinarian battled with the cancer that had taken hold of you.

I know you never gave up hope and that is what carried us three along. Hope. During our hard road that passed, hope was not something to ever feel guilty about. You taught me to always have hope and even in the end, you’d never regret having it. It gets you up in the morning and helps you face the lonely nights. Hope and Love. Thank you for these two most special lessons.

I always thought it was me trying to save you and bring you back to health, but in many ways it was you saving me. Saving me from being sad on hard days, and encouraging me to think in healthy ways about life. You taught me so much and I know that although your time here with us has ended, you will continue to teach me new lessons. Lessons of love and hope, as we continue to remember all that you are and have always been.

Jaspurr, we miss you every day in every way. You were our sweet little boy. I still see your adorable face in my mind. Your love was the purest form I have ever known. Daddy and I speak of you very frequently and share memories of you.

You made our lives better, richer and full of happiness. You made us better people just by knowing you.

With all our hearts we will always love you.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Dear Bailey,

It is coming up to 22 months. 22 long, agonizing months since you ran away, disappeared into the air. I left you that morning with someone for the first time in the 3 1/2 years we were together and assumed without a doubt that you would be alright. I feel that it was just too stressful for you not knowing where I was and being in an unfamiliar place, so when you saw an opportunity to look for me or to get out of there, you took it. I haven't stopped looking for you. I hope you know that I think of you every single day and miss everything about you. The way you wiggled your butt to the way you shook your toys at your dish before you would eat and everything in between. The unconditional love you gave me every single day was more than I could ever have asked for and I so cherish the time we did have together. Not knowing what became of you has been the hardest reality I have ever faced and the guilt I feel can't be put into words. Every morning I wake up hoping that it was a bad dream, that you are still here. Thank you. Thank you for being my best friend and please know that if I could turn back the hands of time, I would do so in a heartbeat. The tears still flow daily and I don't know if they will ever stop or if I will ever get over this. I have all your toys and beds and will keep them with my memories...forever. I love you my little man and I will never forget you. They say that miracles happen so I wait by the phone every day for that call, saying you have been found. Never will I give up hope.

Love,

Stacey

Dear Ripkin,

I miss you every day. It has been a hard winter with out you -- xc skiing and walking alone, sheep chores with out my buddy, and lonely car rides up Maine. No one to greet me when I come home from work! No one to follow me around the house and yard. Richard misses you too. You touched many lives in your short life--the neighbors and local dogs were sad after you left us. Your pictures keep your memory going!..We wil be putting your ashes and Abbys up Maine in the garden for your memorial! So long Ripkin! RIP

Love,

Debbie and Richard

Dear Arfie boy,

I never imagined how many things I would miss about you. I miss the way your beady eyes twinkled at me. I miss kissing your velvety snout. I miss you following me to the fridge and dancing for a tiny morsel. For the last week, I have especially missed you keeping my legs warm at night.

Remember the times we spent at the Cove? You shocked me when you just jumped in the water after the mangrove pods and tried to bring them all back up on the beach to me. Then you took off after that flock of pelicans and I thought you were going to run forever!!! But you came right back to me, very pleased with yourself. I think that was your first time off your leash!

It was all downhill after that, huh? You learned to leave farm animals alone and come along on chores with me. You sniffed out armadillos and lizards, and prepared for your last years running the ranch with me. Oh you were such a young'un then, I wish we had spent more time in the mountains together when you could have *really* enjoyed it.

Everyone misses you Toad. You spread so much joy in not just my life, but also your doggie friends and any two leggeds you met. How many times did you make children laugh at you by throwing your toys around the room and inviting them to play? How many dogs and cats have been your best friends? How many humans have you completely WON OVER to the small dog side? Not just that, but how many anti-dog people did you totally convince that dogs really could be *good*?

I am so thankful you chose me as your special human. No matter how many times in 13 years you spread the trash all over the floor, or how much I spent on your health care, or how much it hurts to miss you right now, I am so glad to have shared over a decade of love with you. You will always always be in my heart, and I never want to forget the love you showed me every day of your life.

I hope you are enjoying your time as an angel, but do you think maybe you could send me another sweet boy soon to help me through the next couple decades?

Love,

Mommy