I saw your picture on a Facebook post. Someone was giving you away. One look in your eyes and I knew you were going to come home with us.
You were barely 8 weeks old when I drove the 45 minutes to find you in the back seat of that car with your brothers and sisters.
Unlike any other pet I have had, your dorkiness was in full form. Your personality was a gift to watch grow. You fit our family like a glove. You became one of us.
As you grew, you became the protector. Keeping a watchful eye over the family. Letting us know when a stranger was around. Always alerted to unfamiliar noises at night. Keeping your family safe.
You probably thought you were just as human as those around you. Sleeping in our bed at night. Cuddling up to one or the other. Then ending the night flat on your back, paws straight up and your head pushing into my back. In our king sized bed, you only allowed me to have one-quarter of the left side.
You were also never shy when you wanted attention. Pushing your way through anyone that was in your path just to sit next to me. On the couch you would press all your weight against me and snuggle your nose up under my chin. Making me scratch your chest until you fell asleep.
Then came last night. It started like every other night, watching TV in bed with you laying next to me. Initially I thought you were having a bad dream when you started to breathe heavy. But then every muscle in your body tensed up, causing heavier and faster breathing. Within seconds you were gone.
I haven’t a clue as to why this would happen or what caused it. What I do know is for a year and a half you blessed our lives with happiness. And I thank you for that. You will be missed my dear friend, you will definitely be missed.
I share this with you, the reader, as many feel the same about their pets as I do. Have loved and lost just like me. Our pets literally become a part of our family. They love unconditionally. We should all be so lucky!