My dearest Kissy,

Tomorrow will be one week since you passed. In all 28 years we were together, we were never apart a full 24 hrs. I am devastated. This separation is too painful. I don't know how to begin the day, how to end the day because it always began and ended with being with you. Not having a place set at the table for you causes an emptiness I cannot describe.

I always always feared losing you. But I could never imagine this. My world has gone dark. Now I too perfectly understand the inscription I saw at the pet cemetery. It best expresses your presence in my life: "He was not the sunrise. He was not the sunset. He was the sun."

I would relive every painful moment in my life to relive those 28 years we had together. Till we meet again, play with the angels. Be blessed by St. Francis and St. Therese. I ADORE YOU, LITTLE BIRD!

Love,

Cathy - Big Bird

My sweet Blueberry Boy,

To my sweetest Blueberry Boy aka Blu, Blue B, Blueberry, Blues Brothers 2000, Blueberries for

Sal, Flippy Bear-

I can’t believe you’re gone. You, who found us, who filled our days and nights with more love

and humor and snuggles and laughter than I could have imagined. You, who by coming into our

lives, effortlessly made us a family. Blu- you were my soul kitty- from the moment you put your

paw on my hand, to the last time- the first time you fell asleep on me and your head fell onto my

chest, to that very last time, when you went to sleep with your head in my hand. You were my

best friend and the most loyal companion I could have imagined. I didn’t deserve you, but I will

forever feel like it was fate that brought us together and am so unimaginably grateful to have

known you.

Everyday my world is less than, there is less love, and less smiles, less light. Everywhere I look-

I see you. I thought we would have so much more time. That Gwenie would grow up with the

world's best, most protective kitty. That we would all be a family for years and years to come.

You kept me safe at night while Erik was working, you followed us on walks and hopped into our

cars when we got home from work. You stopped us from fighting and tried to get the baby to

stop crying. You brought us the GP. You made it that I never felt alone, because I wasn’t.

Nestled in the crook of my arm was always you. Crouched by the back down, was always you.

Running to the car when I pulled up, was always you. Looking up to make sure I looked you

directly in the eyes and shook your food bowl before you could eat, was always you.

I’m so sorry you got sick. I’m so sorry I didn’t notice until it was too late. I’m so sorry I couldn’t

save you. I hope we did the right thing, but I couldn’t watch you suffer anymore. If love and

sheer wanting was enough, I would have. I’m so sorry I left you for so long – and that your world

with the baby was so different. I hope you knew how loved you were, how much I missed you

while I was in the hospital. How important you were and are to me, to all of us.

You have marked my life. And we will tell legends of you in our family for as long as I’m around.

I miss you more than I could ever put into words. I want you back. I want you here. I can’t

believe you’re gone. The world doesn’t know what it lost when you left. But there will forever for

me be before and after. You will be missed forever and loved forever.

Always yours,

Mama

Love always,

Mama

My sweet Finn,

I miss the way you made us laugh every day, and how you filled my life with lightness and so much love. You were the silliest, sweetest, and most funny boy and I miss you every second of every day. Thank you for living so much life with us, and I will never ever forget you. We love you always.

Love,

Tori

Dear Robin baby,

Sorry Robin, I wanted to write another letter since I felt bad that I wrote such a short letter before. You deserve a much longer letter💕

But hello again my sweet Robin baby! I’m so very thankful for the years I have spent with you throughout your 9 years of life. I remember those countless times you would trot on over to the dining table and peak your head out from underneath, looking up at each one of us whenever we ate breakfast, lunch or dinner. Of course, you looked so ADORABLE and I gave in to your cute begging eyes and gave you salmon whenever it was available. Speaking about begging, I’m thankful that whenever I opened the fridge and grabbed the bread, you would suddenly appear on my left whenever I closed the fridge, already begging. Sorry for making u chase me around the house when I had salmon, bread, or ur favorite treat in my hand, haha, I just wanted to make you exercise and to have fun with me 💕💕 And I always loved it when you would rarely come running up the stairs when we were home alone and break into my room. And also those rare times when you hopped on my bed and slept with me, hehe.

I never thought the sand that you licked when we went to the beach on Wednesday is what quickly killed you and took you away from this world and the family that loved you so very much. These days, I’ve been waking up crying just knowing that I won’t be greeted by you and your rbf when I go downstairs to eat breakfast. Or that I can’t make you play chase with me anymore, or knowing that your beautiful blue eyes won’t be looking up to me from underneath the dining table. I’m miserable knowing that you weren’t able to spend Christmas in Minnesota with your Batman’s girlfriend, or that you won’t be there the day I officially turn into an adult.

I’m grateful that you were at least able to experience the ocean and a dog beach with other dogs one last time.

My friend told me the next day after you passed, that it was Easter Sunday, which is when Jesus rose from the dead. That gave me hope, hope that one day I can overcome this miserable time in my life and continue to live on. Even without the sounds of your lazy footsteps walking around the house, or without the ability to take pictures of you every day whenever I saw you sleeping so cutely or laying down in the most ridiculous laying positions. My family and I will always cherish you deeply in our hearts, my silly pretty Robin baby. You brought joy to everyone who were guests to our house, especially when you would jump on them and lick them, despite knowing who they are. I love you to dog heaven and back, my pretty baby, until we meet again if I can go to heaven💗 We all miss you deeply, 💕🙏

Thank you for reading this, whoever you are. If you lost a pet, fluffy, feathery, scale-y or any other kind, I hope that you will continue to try to stay strong during this tough time. And please make sure to drink water, to sleep and to eat. You are not alone 💕

Love,

Danica

My sweet Robin ,

04/06/26

Hi my pretty Robin baby, you were one of the best gifts that I have ever gotten. You came to our house when you were just a baby, and I was only seven so we grew up together, for 9 whole years. Whenever I was studying, whenever I was cooking, whenever I was too scared to sleep alone after watching a scary movie, you were there💕 (although sometimes I could tell u didn’t wanna sleep with me) Most of the time you had this rbf and sometimes it scared our whole family haha. But despite your rbf and your constant side eyes, we have always loved you my sweet baby. Even my mom, who hated dogs probably her entire life, was crying so much the night you passed away. Your Batman misses you so much and loves you very much!! I pray that the doggies in doggy heaven are treating you well and having so much fun with you, and I hope that when I pass away one day I can have more sleepovers with you!

💕💕💗💗💕💕

Love,

Danica

My dearest Kissy,

After 28 years, you are gone. We were together all that time. You were more than my little bird, you were my heart. You not only understood my words, you read my thoughts. I love you more than I'll ever know. Remember, we used to play the 'how much do I love you game? You would look up and around and eventually turn your little back to me - it was too much for a little bird to measure. And I'd laugh, pick you up and hug you. You loved being hugged and being told, "Kissy, I love you. I adore you." I ALWAYS will. I have never been in a relationship longer than with my little angel. It's amazing. And YOU found me ALL those years ago. And now, I have been hollowed.

Yesterday, I thought you were rebounding. But it was that surge that happens before many exit. That surge that gives hope only to drop us into deepest despair when it results in tragedy. You struggled. Not for long but I feel SO horrible. It is horrible to be powerless to help. And now I have felt your presence. But I don't want to hold you here. You died the day before Christians celebrate the resurrection. There's meaning in that. A message. But soon you must follow the heavenly angels, away from this earth. Away from its suffering and turmoil.

I am so grateful I am old now - we grew old together. Whenever my time comes, I want to see you. Even if I am not worthy to enter into Heaven, I beg the angels to just let me see that you are happy and healthy again and playing in the gardens of St. Francis and St. Therese and beautiful places I cannot even imagine. If it's allowed, come back to me in the form of a new companion. But whatever is best for your little, bright, beautiful soul. Kissy, I LOVE YOU. I ADORE YOU. Forever.

Love,

Cathy Stacchini

My sweet Jake,

It’ll be 6 months this Saturday since we said goodbye.

Yesterday I sat across from Vashon Island where we shared our last trip, the place I adopted you from, and wished I was holding you again. I would give so much to spend that last full day with you again. I still think about you all the time. Some days I even still think I’m coming home to see your happy face and hear your click-clacks and bark-barks when I step through the door. I have to remind myself you’re not home anymore.

I’m still filled with regret; the waves come and go. I tell myself that this long-term grief I’m feeling and expect to feel forever just shows how much I loved and still love you. I carry your ashes in a necklace I wear every single day, so you still get to come with me everywhere like you used to. It’s a beautiful necklace and looks just like the color of your hair.

Your hospital bill from last April is almost paid off. Isn’t it silly the thought of paying that off brings me to tears? It feels like I’m closing another chapter with you. I feel the same seeing the amount of pictures with your name declining as the months pass on. I hate the fact that I will never have a new photo of you.

Bailey is just like you. She learned so much from you when she was a puppy and I’m so grateful she did. She has your eyes, same stare full of love I miss seeing every day, same “awoooo” she learned from you.

I heard Luca passed away around the time you did from cancer. I had been hoping somehow we all could’ve been a big family together because you and her would’ve gotten along wonderfully. I hope you and her are chasing each other over the rainbow bridge, nipping at each other’s ankles and rolling around in the grass.

Max has taken your spot as my third dog… another senior adopt. I wish it hadn’t taken your passing for her to join our family. You and her were good friends too.

This letter to you feel so disjointed but my thoughts about you feel that way sometimes. You are in every little part of my life still. Rearranging the house, I thought about how nothing will look the same since you passed away. My new chicken chicks won’t get to see your giant, brown eyes peering at them the way the rest of them did.

Jake… I miss you dearly, buddy. You were the absolute light of my life and my beautiful soul dog. I hope you’re doing alright, Jakey. I’d give so much just to see you again.

Love you ‘til the end of time, Jakey-poo.

Love,

Sarah

Sweet Indie ,

Dearest girl, my sweetest Indie Love. Yes I’m using your middle name. I guess I already knew, when I named you 13.5yrs ago the day that you rescued me,it was going to be what you and this journey together would be all about. LOVE. I had to say goodbye to you just yesterday and it’s been absolutely devastating to not have you here, with me, in the physical. You were the deepest joy I’ve ever known, a daily experience. You were a delight to us all - everyone who met you and knew you. You were my dream come true, and I’m forever grateful for all that you gave me and taught me and created for me in our life together. It was my absolute honor to be blessed to care for you - just a tiny fraction of how cared for me. My sweet Indie, thank you for lighting up my life and grounding my daily world into the most meaningful, loving, joyous experience with you. And fun, so much fun! And adventures. The people we met! The fur friends! The travels! The every day walks and play and adventures! The big life trials and tears you loved me through. The move across country. The joy you spread to anxious travelers in airports! You were bigger than life in your little 16lb body, and you leave having spread so much love and sunshine, most especially to me. I will miss you everyday. See you over the rainbow bridge when it’s my time. Forever in love. ❤️🌈🐶

Yours,

Leslie

My sweet Bruce,

Oh my sweet Bruce, I miss you every single day.

I still remember the day I found you—just a tiny piece of fluff on the floor of our shed. So small, so delicate. I wasn’t expecting to find you, but I knew right away you needed me. Just a few days old, a little bottle baby. You found the right place. I had cared for so many bottle babies before, but something about you was different.

Even back then, I think part of me knew. You were wobbly, and those every-two-hour feedings were exhausting—but I would have done anything for you. I just didn’t know how little time we’d have.

You grew so fast. You played so hard. And your meow… it never quite came in, did it? Just a soft little whisper. You were so patient with all the fosters I brought home—you somehow always knew a churro was coming your way.

I miss everything about you. Your quiet little meow. The way you chased me around the house. Your big stretches. The way you’d “make biscuits” on me like you were late for your shift. And how you always came to sit with me when I was having a hard day.

But more than anything, I miss your hugs. I miss you climbing onto my shoulder, rubbing your face against my chin, resting your head on me while you purred. Nothing will ever feel like that again.

Lately, I feel a bit lost. I struggle to remember your face, and that hurts more than anything. Sometimes I see a piece of black clothing on the floor and think it’s you, and I still reach down to pet it. I think maybe my mind is trying to protect me by softening the memories—but I don’t want to forget you, even if it hurts.

I’m so sorry for everything we put you through trying to fix you. I would have spent anything, done anything, just to keep you here. But you were so tired. I’m sorry I didn’t let you go sooner.

The house doesn’t feel the same without you. There’s a quiet now that you used to fill. Some days I still catch myself thinking this isn’t real—that you’re just downstairs, playing like you always did.

I never knew how much I would miss you until you were gone.

I hope wherever you are, you’re safe and warm. I hope you have all the churros you could ever want. And most of all, I hope that somehow, someday, you’ll find your way back to me.

Because you still owe me so many cuddles.

August 30/2022 - February 17/2026

Love,

Mommy (Erinn)

Little Charlotte,

You were truly an amazing little cat. You converted my mother, who always swore she didn't like cats, to falling in love with you and doting upon you with gifts like a true "Grandmeowther". And how could she not? You were the sweetest little girl, so shy and polite, dainty in everything you did.

I was in a very, very difficult time in my life when I decided to bring you home. I thought adopting a cat would help; it was easy to let myself neglect my daily routines or healthy habits, but if I was having to take care of someone else, perhaps I would start to take care of myself too.

I named you Charlotte when I adopted you but never got rid of "Strawberry" as your name in my head, either. Strawberry Charlotte, a sweet and delicious little cake for a sweet little girl with her little strawberry pink nose and ears and toe beans. Pink was always your colour, I didn't mind being a single guy who bought pink collars and toys for my little girl. It was clearly what suited you best.

I could write so, so many things about you and what I loved about you so dearly. Our little routines, how you loved cat grass but especially in the morning... always having a little "salad time" for breakfast... or the way you loved to rub your face all over the shoes of guests that they'd leave at the front door. I called you our little TSA agent, asking you to remove your shoes and inspecting them thoroughly! How much you loved laundry day and would help me when I was folding my laundry by laying on the clean clothes (sometimes before folding, sometimes after). You loved things neat and tidy— be it the folded blanket on the couch or when my bed was made and I put a folded blanket for you at the foot to sleep on. You never got cosy in messy beds the same way you did tidy ones. And you'd make such funny little biscuits when you kneaded, so focused! A dedicated little baker.

What hurts the most is just how young you were. You were only three years old, and I got to enjoy two of them with you. The vet said it was so sudden and unexpected, it would have been impossible to predict. If there are any small miracles, it's that it happened the day I had a dentist appointment and so I was home when it happened. I don't think you were afraid, and I showed you all my love and care right up until the end. You were in my lap just minutes before you passed. I know I could have instead been at work and come home to find something wrong, and despite me still cursing and asking why it had to happen to you so young, I'm forever thankful I was there with you and that I know there was truly nothing I could have done.

Thank you so much for all the love and kindness and joy you brought to my life Charlotte. I do not exaggerate when I say you changed my life for the better and I would not be where I am had we never crossed paths. I am back in grad school now, and it seems I'm likely going to get my PhD— thanks to you. I will remember the lessons you taught me: the importance of keeping a good schedule, keeping a tidy house (from liking my bed and couch made, to helping me find bits of lint or garbage on the floor that need to be put away!), doing a thorough job with personal hygiene, how you’re never too old to learn to play or do something new (like enjoying lap time!), never forgetting treat time, and always, always, making time for snuggles whenever you can.

We were a pair and I am so, so happy I got to give you your forever home and I think that you truly loved it and had the best life a little gentle girl could ask for, even if it was destined to be so short. I am so glad that I cherished every day we had together, amazed by every snooze and snuggle and playtime. I loved you from the day you came into my life, to the day you left, and will forevermore.

Rest easy, my sweet sweet girl. You will be missed so much.

Love,

Morgan