I remember the day that we got you. We hadn't had a dog for a while, and I felt like I was missing a big part of my life. I was 14, and I kept cutting out pictures of cute doggies and posting them in places that my parents would see them. For Christmas that year, I got a stuffed dog. I did not see the humor in this joke. Funny now, that if I WOULD have gotten the dog that I wanted at Christmas, I never would have met you.
Then one day mom picked me up from soccer practice, and told me that we were going to go look at some Golden Retriever puppies that a lady at church had. I was so excited. We went to see you that weekend and fell in love. You were the runt of the litter. I NEVER would have thought you would have ended up the 130lb dog that you did. Anyways, you were red compared to most goldens, but I knew I wanted you. Mom said, "Sandy, don't you want a golden one?" But, I was not interested. I knew that you were the one who would end up to be the best friend a girl could EVER ask for. You helped me get through a number of different stages in life. I got my drivers license, graduated high school and college, studied abroad,and did other things that you were around for. When I was away at college, or studying in Australia, I ALWAYS looked forward to getting home to see you. Now I don't feel the same about going home. The house constantly feels empty, and I constantly feel that void.
The day I found out you had cancer was devastating. You had 2 lumps on your throat and we decided to take you into the Vet. The first time they told us that you did not have cancer. The second time however, the news was different. I called home from work that night and got the news. That night I cried at work and started doing the research on Lymphoma. It gave you anywhere from 4-9 weeks. We got about 5. The medicine that they put you on, worked for a little while. The bumps went away and you seemed like you had a little bit more energy. Then one day the bumps came back. It was clear that you had become immune to the medication. We knew it was time to take you in. We scheduled it for Friday afternoon. Thursday night we wanted to be very special, so mom made you a steak, and gave you ice cream and pizza. I think if you would have lived another week, you would have weighed 350 pounds. That night I slept next to you, and although it was hard to admit, I knew then that it was time for you to go. The entire night I stayed up listening to you panting and breathing extremely heavily.
The next morning I walked upstairs and mom was laying with you on the kitchen floor. I laid down there too. Dad went to work for a 1/2 day to keep himself occupied in the morning. You and I sat outside together and waited for him to come home. One last time you ran up to the Jimmy, with your tail wagging, welcoming dad home from work. Dad broke down. Dad later said that was harder than the day his own parents died.
We all went to the vet with you. Mom and I sat on the floor and pet you...dad sat on a chair, hiding behind his sunglasses. The whole thing was very peaceful. One minute you were sleeping, then you were gone. We went home and all cried the rest of the day. In fact, we are still crying today.
I know that now you are in a better place that is filled with pizza and ice cream, and all of the doggy friends that you could ask for...but I hope that you won't forget those who love you so much.
p.s. we got you back today, you are sitting in a box on the fireplace. It is good to know that you are still with me. I will never forget you...