by Christina M.
One that cool fall day 23 years ago, I met the baby who we sometimes called "Teddy Two Toes".
She came into our life, with a wag and a whirl, and before we all knew it, she became my little girl.
We grew up and moved, and there were changes about, and each time I could visit you, I would kiss you and watch you scamper about.
I was away from you, and missed you so, but you were strong old girl, and put up with that cold and snow.
I brought you home to be with me, when your home was there no more, and reassured and reasured you, you would want for no more.
I held you, and rocked you, and held you so tight, and it was that evening, you began sleeping with me at night.
We took walks outside, and went for rides at night, just because..and bonded and played, as our bond was sent from above.
I talked to you, and rubbed you and kissed you each day and night, promising you, you would never again be away from my sight.
The time came and we moved, we went out into the world...
I still remember the look on your face, when Daddy brought home the little girls.
Katie and Baby were their names, and you just turned up your nose, for you had thought, you would always be the only "Teddy Two Toes".
You ignored them, and barked at them, trying to keep them away, but it did not take long until you accepted them anyway.
There were good times and bad, and even the surgery you went through, but each time you were strong, and always got through.
We moved and there were changes, and you were alsways by my side, even daring a person, to have an agressive stride.
You were my protector, my guard puppy and true, never realizing yourself, you were only 10 lbs and flew.
You would chase after big dogs, little ones and small, after cats who would run and squirrels who would fall.
Protecting me you did, as your will was day and night, keeping away all predators, with the willest of your might.
You finally accepted Daddy, and knew his love for you was true, you realized he loved not only me, but he loved you do.
You were stern with him still, and would give free kisses a nill, but allowed him to hold you and pet you as you willed.
We got the house with the fence, and you had the yard now to run, but as the sun shined on you, I could see the years come.
You ran and you played with all your will and might, and would want to lay by my side in the still of the night.
You slept by my head, I could hear you restful sighs at night, if anyone would near me, you would assure them a gumfull bite.
We slept and we rested and we knew our love was true, as the years went by, I realized just how much I loved you.
The falls game and went, and the summers were true, we regularily visited the vet, to keep you comfortable too.
The diagnosis would come, and the pills would save the day, it seemed after each visit, you would play and run, better and better each day.
Each time we went, there were more things to do, the pills hidden in cheese and nasty liquid too.
You took it like a trooper, wanting to go on and on till the end.
Never did you want to part from your longest and truest friend.
The last time that we went, I knew what the XRays showed beforer she spoke, and knew the time was coming, and continued to hope.
We knew there was a mass, it was inoperable and knew, that the time was coming, we had 2-3 months and you would pass.
I did not know Tiffany, I swear it is true, that I only had a week left, before I would have to take the life of you.
I remember the pain as Daddy yelled for me to come, and you lay there on the carpet still as if you had been shot with a gun.
I didn't know what to do, and held you tight and then, you sprang to life and started walking again.
You got up and went about, but I knew something was wrong still, as you would walk into walls, and knew it was near.
You went into a seizure and I held your body as it shook, I looked at Daddy and told him it was time, he just cried and shook.
I held you and talked to you, kissed your head and petted you still. I could not believe the time was here, but knew what I had to do.
I let the girls say goodbye, in their own special way, but asked JR to, and he cried and walked away.
I held you in the car, as we drove to the vets, the tears fell from our eyes, and even more when ours met.
We walked into the office, and Mommy cradled you to my chest, as Daddy signed the papers and took care of all the rest.
I held you in the room, and you whine, and squirmed and so, I let you stand, and you saw the room, and started to try to go.
I held you again, and asked myself, and prayed to the Lord and God above, if this was what I was supposed to do, I needed his love.
The vet came in as you started to seize, and all I wanted to do was run. I wanted to take you out of the office, and run and run and run.
He got the needle ready, and they shaved your arm and then, you started to get up looked like you wanted to run, yet again, and again.
I asked you in my heart if this was what you wanted, it hurt and hurt, and I could not see, as the tears fell down my face.
Your answer to me was soft and subtle, but you made it clear and true, your body shook again, and I knew the time was now.
He inserted the needle into your vein, and I kissed your little head, it was 15 seconds and it was over, my baby was now dead.
I held your body, and kissed your head, and cried to the Gods above, I would have given anything, to take you home instead, to have you curled up next to me, like you always loved in Mommy's bed.
They left the room, and I held you tight, and then Mommy had to be strong, I layed your body, and covered you right, the tasks did not take long.
We drove home, and not a word was said, for in our hearts we knew, we did the best we could, and we knew that you knew.
Our thoughts were running wild and the tears fell down our face, as we spoke of where we would lay you, where would be your final resting place.
The answers came faster than I thought, and peace came over me, as we were going to lay you in the backyard, where it was the sunshine and happiness you sought.
We went out in the morning, and prepared your grave, Daddy dug it right and true.
Katie and Baby were watching us, we know you saw them too.
I trimmed some hair from your body and kept it as now you know, I wrapped you in your favorite bed clothes, crying through and through.
We carried you out and layed you down, in your final resting bed, the box that now holds your body, the soft cloths around your head.
I said special words, and cried again, and continue to cry through and through, it was just so hard, so tragic, to lose my baby, you.
Daddy and I talked, we cried again and again. We talked of good times, and the bad, and knew it would take time.
I remembered looking outside in the evening, and feeling the warm sunshine. I knew now you were at rest, and contentment came over my face.
You knew we were leaving we were going away for a week. You knew it was time to go, and wanted us there by your side.
We did as you would have wanted, and have kept your memory true and alive. Although sometimes the pain is hard, and it cuts us like a knife.
We will see you again, sometime we will, in the future when we are done here. Until we meet, and cross that bridge, in our hearts you will stay near.
Katie and Baby miss you, they walk around and look, you were special to us, and to them, being a part of their lives you took.
We will always love you, and this love you know is true, for although you may be gone, forgotten we will never do.
We know you are there watching, and by the bedroom where you are at rest, I pray you know what Mommy did for you, was from the heart and my best.
Take care little one, scamper, run, and roll, and play. For we will meet again sometime, across the Rainbow Bridge one day.
We love you Tiffany, and always will....
Mommy, Daddy, Katie and Baby......