Pet eulogies for cats and doggies...with the occasional hamster as well ....
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LOSS OF A TRUE FRIEND

July 9, 2018

Today I lost a true friend. Her name was Mollie. She was just a little mutt, but to me she was the most beautiful dog in the world.

She was much more than a friend. She was my little girl. I know some people would say she's just a dog. You see, my wife and I never had any children so to us she was like our family.

My wife brought her home one cold rainy day after finding her on the street almost being hit by a city bus. We had two other dogs at the time and I wasn't very happy about having a third dog. One of our dogs had just had surgery on her leg and was having a very hard time learning to walk on it again. I wasn't sure if she would ever be able to run or play again. That's where Mollie came in. She would want to play with Annie and was relentless, so Annie finally gave in and started to use her leg. And after some time, she returned to normal.

What a blessing that little dog was, so it's not hard to understand how my love grew for that little mutt. We had her for 13 years and not a day went by that she wasn't happy to see me when I would get home. She would wag her little stub of a tail and give me kisses

I am going to miss her more than words can express, but I know there is a place in heaven reserved for her and with any luck we will be together again someday and what a wonderful day. Until then she will always be in my heart because she was so much more than just a dog to me.

Sent to us by Steven Campanelli, Louisville, KY

 Letter to Charlie

February 9, 2016

Charlie,

As I type this letter with tears falling on the keyboard, as I type this letter with my heart swelling with pain and grief; with memories stored away I hope to find some solace and forgiveness and peace of mind.

The first time I saw you at the gas station it was cold and drizzling and there you were so malnourished that I was counting your ribs. I saw people come and go with food and thought to myself, "I'm not leaving you here." You let me approach you and I carried you to my car and took you home. You were so timid and afraid that you didn't want to eat, drink or come out of the closet. I bathed you and made sure you were clean. The hope was to find you a loving family where you could have a warm place to live, play, be happy. I never knew that family would be mine. I took you to get neutered, shots...the whole nine yards. I stayed up with you when you came home because you were in pain and restless and neither of us got any sleep even though I had to work the next day. But it passed.

Charlie, as you grew comfortable with us that's when you decided to show your true colors. I'm sorry papa but you were a total menace!! You ate my shoes and two of my bras! You jumped the backyard fence ALL the time and we had to go looking for you or you would find your way back home. You tore up the bag of food and I couldn't help but laugh because when I came home and saw the mess you ran up and jumped on me like everything was peachy! Yes, I cleaned it up and every other mess you did I cleaned that too. Although you were a complete terror I still loved you and spoiled you. You were never allowed on my bed because of all the shedding so I told you, "Go to your bed!" And you did. But in the morning when I would wake you were there snoring away! I couldn't help but smile and let it slide...just like the other nights that came and went. I took you to the dog park where you humped every dog in sight and I was so embarrassed but laughed anyways. You had fun and enjoyed the park and our walks. My favorite memory of you was when we were all laying on my bed and you were in a deep sleep and started dreaming. You kicked and whimpered so hard that you fell off the bed and I laughed so hard till the tears came falling down. You shook it off and climbed back up and went back to sleep; sleeping closer to me away from the edge. I cried when the lawn mower man shredded your pumpkin squeaky toy because it was your favorite and you were very sad. You had a personality all your own and you were so unique. I loved it! It was a challenge and Charlie...challenge accepted!

That fateful day we were planning to go for a walk but I had forgot my phone in the house. You didn't want to wait; you wanted to walk! You got loose from your leash and ran to the curb where a car who ran a stop sign at 30mph took you and you flew towards the neighbors house. I snapped and ran to you and I knew you had probably broken a hip. I don't know where I got the strength to pick all 50 lbs of you but I did and carried you into the house. I called every vet in town and finally one recommended me to a 24 vet clinic but an hour away in the next town. I didn't care. My mom and I rushed you to the hospital and I was with you in the back trying to be strong and tell you you're gonna be okay. We got to the clinic and it is there where we received the bad news: your spinal cord was completely severed and your quality of life was grim.

I didn't care if you were to be handicapped on wheels or I had to feed you myself but the vet said that you would be in too much pain. The only thing to do was to end your suffering. I bawled like a baby, strong in my will to keep you alive. Googling options: researching other alternatives but there was none. I didn't want to end your life, Charlie; you were only 1 yr old. So young and energetic and full of life. I couldn't do that. I loved you so much I couldn't let you go. My mom made the decision for me and like a coward I didn't want to be there. I didn't want to hear your last breath. I did want to feel your heart stop. I didn't want to see your eyes close one final time. I didn't want any part of it. I wanted to go home. I wanted to be selfish for my sake but I couldn't do that to you either. I wanted you to see my face. I wanted you to feel my tears. I wanted you to feel my breath and hear my words before you closed your eyes. I must have said "I'm sorry" 100 times that day and 10 times everyday since then. I went home heartbroken and out of tears. Devastated. I blamed myself and still do. If we hadn't gone for a walk, if I hadn't forgotten my phone or just left it there you would be with me. Causing havoc.

Everyday I ask for your forgiveness. Everyday I look at your nametag and paw print of your ashes and think of all the memories I had with you. Everyday I wonder if you still love me and remember me. I still find myself calling your name sometimes whenever your sisters do something wrong or when they are outside and tears stream down my face. Since your death Charlie we have adopted Stella from the shelter and I expected her to have your personality; your love for fun. But she is very timid and afraid and she is a work in progress. You will never be replaced Charlie, no matter how many pets come and go in my life. You will always hold a special place in my heart.

I guess the purpose of this letter is to forgive myself for what I have done to you. Ease my conscience, ease my pain. I want you to forgive me for taking your life so soon, forgive me for the decision I had to make. Let me know that you're okay and running wild and happy at the rainbow bridge. No more leashes or restrictions. Even though you were a complete tyrant I loved you with all my heart and soul. I know, Charlie, that someday we will meet again and I hope it will be with your wagging tail and sloppy kisses. Run free, Papas. Run free.
 

Sent to us by Annie Castaneda, San Antonio, Texas

Dear creature of God, created with magnificence, beauty and love.

You were taken so prematurely by an overweight orange tabby. Please forgive his trespasses for he acted according to his nature. Please know that his owner has honored your presence and being at this time.
May you carry with you happy, carefree, joyful moments on earth. Hear the laughter of humans who pass along this trail, songs of the birds and sound of the running streams as you lay in this grave. Know that you will be missed by your bird friends when they gathered around the bird feeder.

Go in peace in love with God. Amen.

Sent to us by Ruby, San Francisco, CA, Jan. 29, 2016
 

IN LOVING MEMORY
ONYX

November, 2011 - July 31, 2012

After my cat of 15 years passed away, we felt a void that could not be filled. That was until we decided to take a trip to a pet shop just to look at other pets to see if the time was right and it was. We saw two Lab Puppies, a Yellow and a Black Retriever. We took the Yellow one to the family area and he was just too spunky for our then 1 1/2 year old daughter. So we asked if we can see the Black Lab.

He must have studied us because he knew what not to do and he seemed as charming as can be. We knew right then that he was "THE ONE"!!! No sooner did we close the deal and take him home, we come to find he was a little maniac. He did calm down after a while and became the most unique pet and friend one could ever want. He was not a dog that did tricks, but he was very, very clever and smart.

He had a personality of his own and never was shunned by other dogs or people. He was very well liked and was a joy to be around. He traveled quite a bit with our moves from New Jersey to Florida to his final home in North Carolina.
 

He loved taking rides and his Frosty Paw Ice Cream treats. Then things started to take a turn for him. He began to get a hack that sounded like Kennel Cough. We took him to a Vet in February of this year and he was diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis (flaps in voice box don’t function right), and his doctor said he may need surgery to allow him to breathe better. We were to take him this month of August, 2012,. for tests.
 

He never had that chance. On July 31st 2012, Onyx started his day like he always did and he began having more labored breathing so we took him to an emergency Vet. They tried to control his breathing and in the process he went into cardiac arrest twice and showed no brain activity. We had to let him go.

We are so very saddened by his passing and he will never be replaced. You can only start anew. His memories will last forever. He is now at peace and each passing day the pain subsides a little more. He is in our hearts and prayers and we miss him very much. He would have been 11 in November.
 

Sent to us by Adam V., Raleigh, North Carolina

A LOVING TRIBUTE TO BEN
Damn Good Dog!!!!

For 12 years, since he was a long-legged gangly puppy until he was a gray in the face old man, my buddy Ben provided us a lifetime of love. He was always up for chasing the Frisbee or tennis ball, playing volleyball at the pool, or tug-a-war with his toys, but more than anything he loved being a heel hound, following me and Janet wherever we went. When he was young, I taught him a few commands (sit, heal, shake, etc) and catching Frisbees and such, but that pales in comparison to what he taught me.
 

He taught me about perseverance by showing me how long it took for him to stare at a ball under a piece of furniture before Janet would figure out that she needed to get it for him. He taught me patience by being able to stare at me with that pitiful look until I was compelled to "drop" a piece of food for him.

He taught me compassion by knowing just the right amount of tongue licks it took to diminish any troubles I may have had. Most of all he taught me about the unconditional love that one being could have for another. Never a bad day or too much to do that diminished his excitement when I returned home. Always ready for a seat in my lap and a rubbing until his foot started bouncing in time with my hands.
 

So much will be missed about our bubba, but even more will be remembered. If life is a system of balances, of yin and yang, birth and death, light and dark. then the proof of the great pleasures he gave me lies in the quantity of pain his passing has caused.
 

Submitted to us by Jason, :Atlanta, Georgia

A LETTER TO GIRLEE