by Kathryn Costales
You were so young and yet you already made a home in our hearts. We know when you left the back yard you only ment to be gone for a short while to go exploring. But you didn't know about streets and cars.... We miss our beloved son and will come for you at the Rainbow Bridge as soon as we can. We'll miss you until then.
Love,
Mom and Dad
(follow-up)
Handsome Stranger was our rottweiler and the newest addition to the family. He came to us at three months old and we were his third home. We were originally going to keep him only long enough to find him a good home but he worked his way into our hearts and his good home turned out to be ours even though we already had four other babies (two dogs and two ferrets).
Handsome was such a joy. At 100 lbs. he thought he was still a lap dog. He loved to snuggle and played with his sister, our husky, with gusto. We never had to put him on a leash, even in large crowds, but when I did to go for walks, he never pulled or lagged behind. He learned some obedience (sit, stay, etc.) without any official training and (almost) always did what he was told. He always wanted to be near us, often laying a paw or his chin on our feet or leaning up against us.
He loved to chase rabbits, although I dont know if hed have known what to do if he caught one. I guess he chased one a little too far one night and couldnt find his way back after getting out of Mom & Dads fenced back yard. I looked for him all night and until I had to leave Friday morning. We search all weekend but never caught a glimpse of him. Monday, when I called Animal Control to see if they had picked him up, I was told that they had found a dog that was hit by a car and killed that fit his description. I had to go see if it was really him. It was. He was only 10 and a half months old.
I couldnt look at him like that for long and, although in my head I am sure it was him, my heart keeps thinking that I could have been wrong and that he might still come home. Last night our husky, Rajah, kept going to the door so I took her out (our yard is not fenced). Instead of pottying, she spent her time looking for him.
Its hard to believe he was with us for such a short time yet we could come to love him so much that, even with the other kids our hearts and home feel empty.
We miss our son and want him back but we know that can never be. Perhaps we will see him in a puppy: Rajah has been in heat for the last two weeks and we are hoping she is pregnant by him. That would be a small consolation. Any prayers to help ease this horrible pain would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Kathryn and Dale