How do you even begin to say goodbye to a best friend?
As a dog owner, I try not to think about it. The idea alone turns me into a blubbery mess…and my dog is only four years old!
Among other wonderful things, The Animal Rescue Site allows pet owners to share their heartwarming rescue stories, and recently one particular tale has us in tears.
Told by Kris from Prestonsburg, Kentucky, the semi-anonymous user talks about their recently passed pup named Jessie.
Warning: You WILL need a box of tissues to get through this.
Dear Jessie,
When I first adopted you, I whispered to you “You gotta live forever, ‘kay?” Over the years when I would imagine life without you, I would say again to you “You gotta live forever, ‘kay?”
My body still wants to take you for a walk. Your leash still hangs by the door waiting for the words “wanna go outside?” It’s been raining a lot this week and I instinctively look at the clock to see if it’s near time to take you out.
Whenever I eat some crackers or chips, I look to see where you are so I can throw you some.
You were the perfect dog for me. So quiet…so calm. You never peed or chewed on anything. You barked so infrequently that you would scare yourself when you did.
You were with me through all the good times and the bad. You never judged me, even when I weighed 200 lbs and was sweating to the oldies. You always had a wag of the tail for me.
I loved how I could always trust you with any child. When you got older and a little more grey in the face, some of the neighbor kids started calling you Granny.
Even when you could no longer chew the hard kibble and you weren’t so interested in your toys, and had to be walked more often, I loved you so much.
You trusted me right up to the end. You believed me when I told you that you didn’t have to live forever and it’s OK to go.
I felt the life leave your body and you took a piece of me with you.
I love you sweet Jessie girl, and I’ll see you at the bridge. 1998 – 2016
*Phew* Now that I’ve finally regained some composure…this is the bridge Kris was most likely referring to, from an anonymous poem.
And now I’m crying again.
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