Dear Chief,

I never planned on getting a dog that day I went to the SPCA with my sister....but the moment I saw you there I KNEW you were meant to be with me. I left you there that day but could not stop thinking about you, and ultimately my heart guided me back to you. 1 day before you were to be euthanized due to the crazy fact that no one else wanted to adopt you, you came home with me. And from then on, we lived 12 wonderful years together!!!!!

From the start, it was just me and you Chiefy. Then came the rest of our family......Jamie, Mateo and Kingston.

You and I had some crazy adventures together, there were so many times that you should not have made it home, chasing coyotes, bears, motorbikes, running off into the mountains doing what you LOVED to do....run free. But Chief you always came back to me, always. I'm so happy that we had such adventure. I hope you enjoyed it all. And please know I did everything I could to give you the best life possible. You came first bud.

Despite all the odds of your wild ways, you lived to be 13. It was so hard when we first noticed you getting stiff and sore after a long walk, and for the next 3 years we watched you slowly be able to do less and less untill the day came where you could hardly go out for a walk at all. Knowing how much you loved to be outdoors, it killed me to go out with Kingston and leave you at home. I felt so much guilt, and I still do. Even when you did go out and it was so hard for you to walk, you still had the drive and tried so hard to chase the kong, or play with Kingston. We knew that with your will and determination you would never totally give up. You were such a proud dog.

Chief you and I had a very special bond right from the moment we met eachother, and that bond can never be broken. You were my first real, true love. I miss you so much. It was so hard to make the final decision, i struggled with it so much, it killed me and it still does...but deep down I know that you couldn't go on anymore, it was just getting worse and it wasnt fair to keep you around for my own selfish reasons. I am so happy that you passed peacefully at home, in your bed, with me holding you. I hope you know that I did this, the hardest thing I have ever had to do, out of love and only love.

I asked you to give me a sign when you got "there", told you to knock something down...and you did knock that picture of you and Benson down, didn't you? I'm so happy to know that you two best buds are together again.

I love you so much Chief, and I am so heartbroken to be here at home without you physically here with me. Your presence is so greatly missed. There will never be one day where I don't think about you or miss you. I know you are running around somewhere, with Benson, pain free, and happy. And one day, we will meet again and I can't wait to wrap my arms around you. I love you so much, you have brought so much happiness into my life.

Hugs and kisses my Chiefy chooka.

Love,

Christina