I know you loved your family as much as we loved you. You clearly showed your devotion to Mum on a daily basis, hardly ever leaving her side.

It didn’t take long for you to ingratiate yourself into our family and we gladly accepted you, we even developed our own language over time (albeit a childish one!). It’s funny how your attitude towards other dogs was so similar to my own attitude towards other people, you mostly wanted to do your own thing and I found this extremely admirable. It was a pleasure to watch your plethora of wonderful mannerisms, which I studied avidly; so then my empathy for you just grew and grew as did yours for me.

I know how much you must have missed us whenever we went away on holiday. I’ll never forget how emphatically you would greet us after only a few days absence.
Sat at the top of the stairs you would immediately spring to your feet…  “Is it them?” and you would almost throw yourself down the stairs towards us! Then you would lovingly bury your head in our laps, one after another. “I love you, please don’t go away again.”

I have fond memories of your nature around our Nana. You were always happy to see her and rightfully so, she always loved you as another grandson. I remember you were very respectful when Nana was struggling after her stint in the hospital, by not fussing too much when she came to visit. You must have known, good boy.

Nana was also fortunate enough to see how much you enjoyed Christmas every year. What a nuisance you were! It was so adorable to see how excited you got for every single present we unwrapped, so much so that you would sometimes steal a present and run away! But who cares about the presents? There’s nothing better than ripping up a huge pile of colourful wrapping paper, the simple pleasures in life are the best. But it must have been nice to see the whole family celebrating together and to be a part of it. You will be dearly missed on the many Christmas days to come.

On the days we felt adventurous, we took you to some of the loveliest areas in our hometown. I know you were fond of the woods as you could always remember the route to take. What an abundance of things to enliven your senses. The story of you chasing horses always frightened and amused me. In general, I found it hilarious how you were so brazen around larger animals and yet a small cat would make you jump out of your skin!

We know you had problems for a while and you endured your discomfort stoically. It was a sad time to see you struggle with your weak legs, I know you always hated being carried but I think you were grateful when we helped you get up the stairs. It was my pleasure to help you.

There is no way any of us could have continued to ask ourselves this question every day, Why are you crying? If only you could tell us, so we were left with only one option.
We put you on the back seat of the car for the last time, I like to believe you were excited, I imagine all you wanted to do was get up on your feet so you could put your head out the window, such an exhilarating feeling to have the wind in your face and the world going by so fast. The car was the vessel, which took you to your most favourite places so you would never hesitate to leap straight in, dance around on the back seat and dribble all over the windows and the hand brake. Granted, the car also took you to the groomers, but I like to think you enjoyed a good shower and scrub. How young and gorgeous you looked after a nice trim.

Your family had to make a very difficult decision on that day, but we made it in your best interests. I’m so glad we could all be there for you during your final moments.
What a soft and beautiful kiss you gave to me and then to Lee, this parting gift to us was just perfect and I will cherish it in my memory forever.

Billy, my brother, I love you always.

xxx

Posted by Scott Tyrrellfeisar192@hotmail.com

I remember when I first meet you when you didn’t belong to me and I wanted you and you wanted me. Your history was very sad; you were on your third owner since you were born. You had no idea why you were hit over the head because you talked and showed your teeth when you were happy and always told you were a very bad dog but thankfully your old owner did the best thing they ever did took you away from them and then we meet.

It took me 3 years to fix you and teach you what a kind person I was and I would never hurt you nor would anyone else and you weren’t even mine yet.

You came over when I use to live next door to play with your old playmate Sam, who helped me work with you. When Sam died of old age you were sad and wanted to help heal me by taking his place but you were not aloud to have me yet so your old owners told me.

Things looked up when you got a little sick one day and your old owners said yes I could have you, as they no longer wanted you because you got a cold and they didn’t want to you to give it to their children.

Now 6 months later you live like a king and are allowed to talk as much as you like and smile showing your teeth when ever you want, follow me around like your my personal body guard come to work with me twice a week. You even have a k.9 brother who you play with everyday, 2 cats to hang out with one who likes steal your beds but don’t worry your mummy is always happy to move her for you. I know you love your food that’s how you got over weight with your last owners and I know its not your fault and its your lab telling you that your always hungry (laugh) so big baby can I ask you one thing…

PLEASE DON’T WAKE ME UP AT 6.30AM ON THE DOT EVERY MORNING ASKING FOR BREAKFAST BECAUSE YOUR TUMMY IS WORRYING YOU.

Posted by lindapetlover26@hotmail.com

The first few weeks were traumatic for you; you couldn’t understand why your family had abandoned you. You had never been for a walk at the beach, so you went crazy and I wondered if I would ever see you again. Your coat was lacklustre and moth-eaten from knots and matts having been hacked out with the scissors. Your diet had only ever consisted of 2-minute noodles and budget dried food.

But as the weeks passed you realized that we would only ever treat you with kindness and love and your confidence grew. You started to really enjoy your bowlful of real meat and chicken necks every evening. You learned what to do with the big meaty bones you were presented with on the lawn.

Slowly our bond grew and soon you became my shadow, never letting me out of sight. Our long daily beach walks were always anticipated with much excitement and when you came upon a large open expanse of sand your joy would overflow and you would tear around recklessly doing figure eights and nearly bowl me over.

We had fallen in love and we shared every minute, your big brown eyes looking up into mine. You accompanied me everywhere. Daddy spent hours brushing out your long hair and you were truly a picture.

Because we couldn’t be without you for a second, we always took you on holiday with us, organizing accommodation which would make you welcome too. We went for two-week road trips exploring all the walkways and beaches we passed. Some of our hosts got to know your special personality and would make you especially welcome.

You had never been fond of getting in the water, but that last summer we had together we coaxed you into the water with us and you swam for the first time, proudness shining in your eyes.

The day you left us I knew the void you had left in our lives was too great to ever fill, but I felt so grateful for what we had shared. I loved you more than anybody and I always will, and I look forward to the day we meet again.

Posted by Robynne Harveyrob@cheeseshop.co.nz

You were the light of my soul. To this day I am still hurting and that is understandable. Is a pain that will never go away. I chose you from a litter of 8 puppies. I was there when you were born and placed a blue ribbon around your neck to make sure you were mine. We called you Nemo, because we searched for you and it took us a long time to find you. We wanted you to be perfect. And you were. For seven years you were my most precious possession, my friend and my child. You knew when I was sick, you knew when I needed to talk to someone and you accepted me as I am with all my faults. I never had to scold you or punish you because from a young age you knew I loved you with all my heart. I was so glad to get home so that I could have your wonderful kisses and hugs and to this date I can close my eyes and I see you just as I saw you for many years. I remember how much you loved the beach and every time I go, I cry. I fed you real food when no one was looking and that was our secret. I celebrated April 5 for you just like we did for 7 years. I even ate a little ice cream in your honor.

Your illness was short and I am thankful that you did not suffer much. You died on my birthday and I feel that having died on my birthday, you were trying to make it special so I would never forget him, as if I ever could.

We had to make the decision to let you go in peace. You were suffering and would look at us with your eyes glazed knowing that we were there to hold you and love you until your last breath. It came so sudden that we did not have time to get use to the idea of life without you. I have your ashes next to my bed where you slept. I have your picture and look at it every night and I pray that I will meet you at Rainbow Bridge so we can be together again.

I will never forget you and though I have adopted two Bichons, no one will ever compare to you. I wish I could be there to hold you and take care of you. You will always be in our hearts forever and remember that you were my special child!

I love and miss you and you will forever be My Nemo.

Posted by Leyda R. Mallorylovenemo52@gmail.com

Not a day goes by where I don’t look at you both and thank God that I was blessed with two such wonderful sons. My entire life has been a hole of emptiness, I cant express the sadness that my heart has had to endure. For the past two years I have felt like my entire soul has come alive, all because of you both. Looking into you beautiful eyes and kissing your little heads melts any and all pain. I have never felt the type of love that you both give me everyday no matter what mood I’m in. I would never have been able to get by without you my little babies and even though you’ll never read this letter, I will continue on telling you every single day, that you’re the reason I open my eyes every morning and smile. I love you both from the bottom of my heart,

Love from your mum

Posted by Mariola Bronowieckim.bronowiecki@gmail.com