Dear Heidi ,

We were together for 6 years, not nearly long enough, you were the perfect lap sitter and kept me great company in bed when I was under the weather or just wanted a nap. You loved sharing a chair in front of the TV with your "Pa" and he loved you dearly. You had mastered the "art" of hi-5ing and did it often. I will miss the sound of your little "flipper" feet running down the hallway..and the click of your toenails as you make your way up the steps..you loved your food..I found myself starting to set out your biscuits on a plate the morning after you left us..I couldn't stop my tears or heartache..Your friend Beacon has been looking and listening for you..she is beginning to understand you are not coming back to us..she will miss your games of tug o' war with the various ropes you two accumulated..You were her best friend and have been there for her since she was a puppy..We all are grieving and will miss the sunshine of your presence in our lives..If I have learned one thing from you, dearest Heidi.. it is to live as you did..loving life and everyone in it..for a not very big dog..your passing has left a huge emptiness in our hearts and our home..we love you Heidi..always, your Ma and Pa and Beacon

Missing You,

your Ma Deb, Pa Tim and Beacon

Dear Logan,

Your passing has been one of the hardest things I have had to face in many years. Maybe since my father passed. Ironic that you left us on the 24th anniversary of Dad's death. I'm hoping you both are together and can see me and the family. We miss you terribly. I am devstated without you. So I wrote you this poem to hopefully let you know how special you are and how much you mean to me:

For Logan, my Faithful Amber Paw

I’m running at a weary pace between the rising and setting sun,

I toil for kin, hearth and pay until my long labor is done.

And most days I can’t tell you did I win, lose or draw?

But everyday meets a cheery end greeted by my faithful Amber Paw.

It’s in those rare few moments when from the world outside I hide,

I sit with my fine furred companion in silence at my side.

When stress and debt and worries wrack the stillness of my night,

I snuggle with my Amber Paw and life just feels alright.

The toll this life takes is dear, and it weighs upon my soul,

But Amber Paw, any time you’re near, your friendship makes me whole.

So many people take from me; sometimes it’s hard to live,

But you my faithful Amber Paw know only how to give.

Though many say you’re just a cat, I see a depth in your golden eyes,

You rest your tawny chin upon my hand and I suddenly realize.

You look at me with love like I’m the Dad that you adore,

From you my faithful Amber Paw, I couldn’t ask for more.

Now the years have got behind us, and both our whiskers have gone gray,

Yes, I knew this time would come, but I begged this day away.

Though your spirit was unfettered, your flesh began to tire,

Yet even when you were feeling down, you never failed to inspire.

I selfishly prayed for more time with you and that your love would always stay,

Still, life’s toll is far too steep, and your bright spirit was called away.

I can’t conceive of life without you my furry, faithful friend,

Your legacy is endless, and I know our Love will never end.

Left in the silence of my lonely room your still body at my side,

Many tears of loss and joy I’ve shed that I surely will not hide.

Now I dream of that great day when our souls are reunited,

In the company of God, family and friends we’ll forever be delighted.

You filled my days with warmth and fun that have left me full of awe,

Now you’re running with the shining Son, my faithful Amber Paw.

I pray the Love we shared in this life will carry me back Home,

And someday I will join you there and forever we will roam…

Love and miss you always Logan

Love,

Your Dad, Sean

Dear Lucy-Lou,

I guess you have been gone for a few days now, but we just found out that you really were gone today. When you went missing, we were hoping that you were stuck in some ones shed or something, we were hoping that the worst wasnt reality. You were such a special kitty, you have to be the friendlyest cat I've ever had. It's hard to believe that im never going to call your name and watch you come running again...

You were taken way too soon, only a year old. I love you Lucy-Lou

until we meet again.

Love,

ES

Dear Rhody,

My dearest baby girl Rhody I found you on I-95 when you where not even nine months old. Abandoned, beaten, sick and scared I thought I would rescue you that day but you spent ten years rescuing me.

“You need to think with your head and not with your heart, we have to put her down” they said but I fought so hard for you and you fought harder for me through the years.

My best friend, soul mate, love, muse, comedian, lover of all people, hairy four-legged daughter you brought me and your big brother Rockstar such tremendous joy.

Please remember you will always be in my heart until we meet again and I hope you know how much I love you. My bed, I mean your bed, will never be as comfortable, as warm or as perfect without you laying beside me.

I love you Monkey.

Your Momma and Rockstar.

My Rhody-girl passed away in my arms Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 after a short and painful battle with lung and abdominal cancer. Rhody celebrated her ten year adoptive birthday only one month and a day prior to her passing. She was almost eleven.

Love,

Your Momma and Rockstar

Dear Clark,

People may think that it is odd that I am writing a letter to a grasshopper that I owned. I just thought that I should, since you were surprisingly a large part of my life. For example, I still remember the first time that you hopped onto my screen door. My friend almost squished you, but I thought that you were so bright. (Even though you were really stupid.) We had so many scary times, and then so many that seemed so silly I lost you in the garage once, and I thought that you went into the lawnmower. I also remember when you had to go get caught because you got loose, and the people next door thought that you were going to bite their children, and give them a disease...STDS. (Or that they would eat you.)

Well, when you DID die, I'm really sorry that it was my fault. I had you for 12 years! Grasshoppers don't live that long! Maybe my mother switched you out...because I think that's unnatural.

But yes, good-bye Clark, and sorry for making your guts stick to the bottom of my shoe.

Peace,

Regina George

Dear Amanda and Bri,

I miss you guys so much because you were adorable together and were so loving. I don't want to say that much because I am already crying my eyes out, but I miss you guys everyday. You were so un-separable to the point where I wasn't able to keep Bri from going into the fire after Amanda. I hope it wasn't painful, and you guys are OK.

Peace,

Sandy Lou

Dear Toby,

Saying goodbye to you was very hard. I remember the day I adopted you...how I felt so relieved that we had gotten you out of that cage and how excited you were to just walk and walk and walk...even though you had a long road to good health and spirits. You were the first dog I ever picked out and I think we did a great job together. We lived a fine four peaceful loving years before we sent you off to that Kitty Dude Ranch in the Sky.

Okay. I think that is it for now. I miss and love you.

Love,

me

Dear Taffy,

I still remember the day I met you. We walked into the breeders house and there you were at only 4 weeks old. I fell in love with you from that first moment. I knew I had to wait another 4 weeks but it was going to be a well waited four weeks. Throughout your whole life, you were always there when I needed you with a big smile on your face. You were the perfect and friendliest dog there has ever been. You were also my champion show dog in 4-H. I always looked forward to coming home from school to see your big smile on your face and your cold nose against my cheek. You were my first dog because I got you when I was about 4 yrs. old. Now I am 14 and had to celebrate my last 2 birthdays without you. Life is not the same without you and your little sister mittens, the cat, misses you a lot. Another member of the family that misses you like no tomorrow is Abby. You were 7 years old when we brought Abby home as an 8 week old puppy. You guys were best friends from the start. Unfortunately, you weren't there for Abby's first dog show, but she made you proud bringing home a champion in obedience and 2nd in showmanship. Everyone else in the family misses you like Nick, Mom, and Dad. I wish you were here right now because mom and dad are getting a divorce and I need both you and Abby. We do have another dog in the family but he lives with dad. His name is Goober and he is a year old Newfoundland. He gets along great with Abby and I love him but he would never take your spot in our hearts. Well Taffy, it's been nice catching up with you and I will defiantly write you another letter soon. I hope you are doing soon and are making new friends. When we do get reunited one day, you, Abby, and I will cross the rainbow bridge together. I love you so much, and miss you a lot everyday.

Love,

Meagan and Abby

Dear Nina,

It's been alittle over 12 hours since we said goodbye. I still can't believe we had to let you go. I feel like my heart left when u did. It was the hardest thing to do, but I know you knew we were there with you. I couldn't watch you suffer and I held you until you were truely gone. You never left my side and I wasn't about to leave yours. Me and Daniel are lost without you here. I'm not ready to move your bed or put up your medicine just yet. When we got home last night from the vet, me and Daniel sat on the couch and talked about the first night you came home from Aunt Jo's. I brought you home the night Aunt Jo passed because the lady you were going home with couldn't take you that night because she went into labor. You gave us 8 wonderful years and had a wonderful life with your sister and brother. You have been my little shadow for the past 8 years and I'm missing you not being beside me right now. Everyone tells us that time will heal our broken hearts but I don't think that I will ever get over this. You will always have a special place in my heart sweet Nina. I know that you and Aunt Jo are together now and that makes me smile. You loved her too. I will get your ashes back next week and plan on spreading some on Aunt Jo's grave and we will keep the rest with us. You had two families that loved you dearly. Phibie and Ty both know something is wrong and I believe Phibie knows you are gone. They will miss you too, Phibie more than Ty I'm sure :) Just know that there won't be a day that goes by that I don't think of you. Until we meet again my sweet Nina! We all love you!

Love,

Nicole, Daniel, Phibie, and Ty

Dear Ellie Bear,

You were the best niece I could have asked for! Your mama was crazy for getting a kitten when she first moved to Pittsburgh, but I'm thankful she brought you into my life. You had the sweetest little face and I will miss you laying on my chest while we watched TV. I know you are in a better place with no more pain and you can finally eat again. I am so thankful we could spend the day together on Saturday before we had to say goodbye. Your mama made the best decision for you but that doesn't make it hurt any less. Please say hello to Grandpa Ganoe for me, he'll keep you company until Amber or myself get there. As I always told your mom I'd take you if anything happened to her, now you have to take me if I go before the twin.

Love you with all my heart sweet Bear.

Love,

Aunt Itee