Dear Harriet,

You left us this evening, and while I sit here in a daze, what better way to pay tribute to your ever lasting love than through a letter.

I had to make one of the toughest decisions for you tonight. You were in pain. The cancer crept up on us like the the night does to day. Two weeks ago, I took you in for a cough. We saw some spots in the xray, but hoped for it to be bronchitis. We had your annual blood panel work done to find something in your liver. Shortly after finishing your medication, which was this past Sunday, it was difficult to breath. I am so sorry I did not catch it sooner. I know now that you were trying to tell me all the times you sat in the bathroom as I got dressed, just staring at me. For that, I will always feel guilty. I am truly sorry. 10 years just wasn't enough.

I want to tell you how much I admired your forgiving spirit. and thank you from the bottom of my soul for keeping my daughter company when she needed someone the most. You were her sibling. You patiently allowed her to dress you up in her old pajamas, and even had fun on stroller rides.

These last few months we had some amazing runs along the river walk. We made some of our best times. Thank you for pushing me, and telling me not to give up! You were my coach, my partner, my best friend. You seemed to believe in me and knew what I was capable of. I'm sorry that stray dog frightened us on our last run....he just wouldn't leave us alone! I had you walk right beside me so he wouldn't dare harm you. Your loving spirit made him understand that we were not a threat.

Harriet, I will miss you every single day of my life. My daughter will mourn you for eternity. She lost her sister tonight, but she knows that you were in pain and we needed to fix that. She can't sleep in her room because you are not there tonight - so she is sleeping on the couch in our room. She made a very special picture collage of you with all of us, even the silly pictures! But we could not hang it up just yet.

Harriet, please know that we had to make this decision for you so that you could be comfortable again. You were crying as you lay on your bed to sleep because you could no longer breath. The cancer in your lungs was taking over. We made this decision because we love you so, so much, and could not live knowing you were in pain.

We will run again someday. Your spirit will be with me on the dirt paths because I know that is what you loved the most. As soon as I got the leash out, you would get so excited.

I still can't believe this is happening. We all hoped that this was just all a horrible dream. I still feel that I am in shock. My heart is broken. You took a huge piece of my heart with you tonight. We miss you so much, and will love you forever. I love you, Harriet. You will live in my heart and run with my soul until the sun stops shining.

Love you sweet baby girl,

Momma

Love,

Momma

Dear Keltie,

I can't put into words how much I miss you. You were my first pet, and the 10 years I had you were the most wonderful. The last 2 months have been awful without you. I wish there was more I could have done. When I got the call that you most-likely wouldn't make it more than a week, I went in the bathroom and sobbed. I never guessed that I would never see you again. I simply went to bed. My mom woke me up the next morning, and said that you passed. I never got out of the car at your service, and I hope you forgive me. I don't know how much longer I can go without seeing your pretty little face. I hate Cancer, and always will. I hope you are happy up in Heaven. I can't wait to see you again.

Missing You,

Peyton

Dear Paige,

Wow, 2 weeks already and I still can barely write this cause I can't see the keys. Tears of both joy and sorrow. Remembering lots of walks that you listened to my problems ,trips to work just to get your hot dog and who could ever forget the ice cream. You were the best!!!You took the shots as you always were, easy and peaceful. I know you are better off and I am too. I don't have to look at you hobbling around and not being able to do what you loved doing...running, sniffing and pleasing me. I know how hard you tried to keep pleasing me, but it wasn't about me, it was us, as a team. We had 16 great years girl, thank you for being my friend! Love, Dad

Love,

Dad

Dear Midnight,

I fell in love with you the moment I laid eyes on you. For over 13 years I was blessed to have you to play with, to hug, to kiss and to love. I'll forever be thankful for your presence in my life. Your love filled my soul with peace!

January 17, 2001 - January 22, 2014

Love,

Dad

Dear Scamp,

There is not a day that passes that we don't think of you! You were the best buddy I ever had;and,mom misses her little man. You were only 9 lbs.; but, your heart was the size of a giants. Our walks,chasing squirrels,sitting with you on our lap. Times we miss ; but,smiles of great memories. You were an inspiration with your life long heart problem that couldn't stop you from being the loving,caring;and,family protector you so willingly gave to us. We were blessed to have you with us for 12 yrs.. You allowed vet students and doctors to better learn from your malady. Maybe you helped save more lives like you saved ours! I miss not saying good-bye and take care of the house every morning;and, getting my hug when I get home even before I canclose the door. We traveled all over the country and everyone that met you,loved you. Scamp, we will be together again. Until we meet at the Rainbow Bridge it's your job;as usual,to watch over all our furry children that passed before you. You are so missed little guy!

Love,

Mom,Dad andChloe

Dear Morning Glory,

I love you so much! I miss you very much right now. I wish that we could be together. I'm so sorry I wasn't able to be with you when you passed away but I hope you knew that I loved you very much. I miss you!

Love,

Melanie

Dear Nubbin,

The holidays have come and gone and I find myself missing you more with each day that passes.Out of the blue I have these crying episodes and even though I bought a few books on how to deal with the loss of a pet I still find myself at a loss on how to deal with you not being here.You were so much more to me than my cat.You meant everything to me and I am struggling to fill this crater inside of me.I see you in my dreams and it is those moments that I feel you the closest to me.It helps me feel you are still close to me.I talk to you out loud all the time ....it helps me keep you here.This is my third letter to you and I know there will be many more to come. I want to concentrate on celebrating your life and not dwelling on your death.I just don't know how to. Kim G.

Love,

Kim your mom

Dear Moses,

We found out 3 weeks ago that you were sick and would not get better. We had Christmas Saturday and you were right there in the middle of all the fun. You spoke to everyone, and everyone spoke to you. Almost like we were all saying goodbye. You were sick but still had you happy sweet spirt. We spent that rainy Sunday visiting all day the next day. We did not leave you because we knew our time with you was almost gone. Your bark was weak but your tail wagged just as it always did. Monday came and you played with MoJo and Molly. You 3 swapped bones and enjoyed your time together that day. Monday night was when your tired sick body had decided it was done. You needed help to finish your sweet life out without anymore pain. It was the hardest thing me and your Daddy has ever done. It broke our hearts to make the decision that it was time to let you go. Early Tuesday morning was your last day with us. We wish you could have stayed with us longer.

You have been such a blessing to us ever since we picked you up in Missouri. I feel in love at first sight. You had already been named Moses and Moses was perfect. You were born on Christmas and were a gift from God. We have loved you for your kind sweet nature. You were so good to the kids and other dags and kitties. Never tore anything up, and rarely had any accidents. We could not have ask for a better companion. Thank you sweet Moses for all your love. With love and affection we will always remember what a wonderful dog you were. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday sweet Moses. I will miss you forever.

Love,

Daddy and Momma

Dear Rockie Rhodes,

This will be the first Christmas I have been without you in a decade. You came to me at time when I needed you the most. I was very ill with this rare pancreas birth defect and did not know how long I would live. So you came into my life and right away you became my friend, my protector, and my snuggle buddy. I honestly believe that you were one of the main reasons that I beat the odds and survived not only the whipple in 2004, but am still here today. I miss you so much, but I am glad you are no longer in any pain from the stomach cancer. I will see you again one day, I know this in my heart. Always remember I love you "My Rockie Rhodes"

Love,

Mom

Dear Phibie,

I had a feeling this morning when I left you, I wouldn't be coming home to see you sitting up waiting for me to walk in the door. I said my goodbyes to you every morning before I left for work and today was no different. The only thing I said different today to you was make sure you tell Nina that I love and miss her and I understand if you need to go to sleep sweet Angel. Last thing I remember this morning was petting the top of your head and feeling where my tears dropped on you. Those same tears were dropped on you as I wrapped you up in your blanket for the last time. I'm so thankful my Mama was here with you when you took your last breath. It broke my heart that I wasn't here with you when you left but so thankful you were not alone. Mom said if only I had been a minute earlier I would have seen you. You were still warm when I got to you.

I know you knew how much I loved you because I told you every single day starting with the day I brought you home. I remember Mom, Dad and Uncle Brant telling me " You don't need to get a dog your first year in College and having a dog is a big responsibility". Well, going to the shelter on Aug 15th 1999 and spending $40 on your adoption fee was one of the best decisions I've ever made. You stole my heart that day and you will forever remain there. You put a bright light in my life for 14 wonderful years. You picked a beautiful day to leave this world. The sun was out and not a cloud in the sky. Guess that was your way of telling me goodbye and still letting your light shine on me.

Phibie, there will not be a single day that goes by that you won't cross my mind. I'll probably never get over you but that's ok because nothing will ever take your place. Ty is sitting with me as I type wiping my tears. He knows I'm upset and I have him to help me get through this just like You and Ty both helped me when Nina passed. You will always be my first true love Phibie. I know you and sweet Nina are together again running and playing. Run Phibie Run!!! The Cancer took your leg and that awful infection took your life but nothing will take our memories. You will forever live in our hearts sweet Angel! Until we meet again Sweet Girl. Good Night and We Love You!

Love,

Mama, Daddy & Ty