Lucky is the first dog I ever owned (and I suspect he might be the last). I was in third grade when my parents permitted us to buy a dog. I remember going to the poodle breeder's place to pick out a dog and meeting Lucky's mom, dad, and one of lucky's brothers. We picked out Lucky because he was white like a snowball and because he was very calm and mellow. But I also remember meeting the breeder's own pet poodle. She was a mini poodle (size bigger than Lucky). She was 14 years old and blind. I remember telling myself that day that I hope my dog would be able to live as long as she has.
Lucky was just one month shy of his 15th birthday. But I am very grateful that Lucky has lived almost 15 great years to bless 15 years of my own life. We grew up together and now that he is gone I feel that one chapter of my life has ended, but never will it be forgotten. It would be selfish of me to wish he were still here with me. I know now he is in a much happier place where he is able to see, hear, play, sunbathe, stick his head out the car window to feel the wind blowing in his face, and eat all the rice and minced meat as he pleases. All the stuff he loved to do when he was younger and healthier. I know that he will continue to watch over me as he always had. He used to always get angry with whoever was play-hitting me. He would growl and act like he was going to bite you, but we all knew that he wouldn't.
He was a good dog, a good friend, and will always be loved, cherished, and remembered. I will never forget the first day we brought him home up until the last Christmas that I spent with him.
This memorial is a tribute to Lucky and all the greatness he has brought into my life. I have always protected and defended him from other people but this time I lost the battle. I couldn't fight against him because he knew it was his time to go. He has been with me through elementary, middle school, high school, and my college years. And now that I am all "grown-up", he decided it was his time to part. I know he will continue to watch over me as I will continue to remember him and the love and loyalty he had for me.
Putting him to his much needed and earned rest was the hardest decision I ever had to make. Ultimately I want what is best for him and his needs and not for my own. But no matter how tough it was to say my last goodbye and give my last kiss that day as I closed the door behind me, I still believe that all the years of unconditional love and affection he has given me does outweigh the dreaded moment when you know it's just "time" to let him go. He will never be forgotten and will always be with us in our hearts.