missy will live on in my heart and the heart of my family.  missy was well loved.  missy lived a good, long and healthy life until lately. 

the vet was very kind.  we have been friends for years.  he made us as comfortable as he possibly could.  he got down on the floor with me and missy.  missy heard my voice and smelled me with her last breath. 

then the doctor made me a foot print that will last forever. 

skeet drove us and cried with us and held my hand and hugged me.  he is so much like his dad, yet i know that he is not my sam.  but i love him and respect him almost as much as i do my sam. 

it was a difficult day and this morning my head feels foggy and disoriented.  i see missy behind me and around me.  i guess i always will.

Dear Missy,

I remember the day we found each other.  An afternoon is late spring.  Your “dad” and I were sitting on our newly built deck steps.  We were enjoying the feelings of accomplishment when lo and behold, I spotted this dark little spot under the neighbors truck, all the way across the road!  Your dad didn’t like it when I messed with “animals”, so I made the most quiet little “come here” noise possible.  You looked and all of a sudden you were in my arms!  I said to your “dad”, “I’ll let you name her if you’ll let me keep her.”  That was the moment you became “missy” and we came together.  That is a day that I will always and forever remember. 

Darling Missy, you have been and always will be the best “dog” in the world.  You are the prettiest, smartest and sweetest girl.  You have taught me so much.   You have stood diligently by my side through everything.  You have been there for me when no one else could be.  You were there to comfort me when your “dad” got sick.  You and I stood vigil by my mom’s bedside.  You and I have taken rides together just to stand in a place of wonderful memories and ride home again.

I brought you to our new house that I bought just for you.  You deserved a nice big back yard with a fence to insure your safety.  Now that I know you are leaving, I have listed the house for sale.  I want someone else’s doggies to be able to enjoy your shady, safe back yard.

I will always love you and never forget you.  Thank you for being my best girl.

Your loving mom,

Me