Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge

Dear Cocoui, 28 September 2011

Yesterday Cocoui I made the most difficult decision of my life. Even though you may have not known, I was there when the doctor ended your pain. I had my hand on his when he helped you over the rainbow. The state may say the vet has to do it; but I did my best to make it as much of my reasonability to you as I could. I have a lock of your hair I will keep for as long as I am alive. I hope you don’t mind that I cut a few strands of hair from your ears. I will keep it for as long as I live to help me remember you.

You passed from this world and the pain it was on you yesterday, September 27 at around 4:45 in the afternoon. It was a warm late September day, with the sun shining with big white clouds in the sky, not much different from the first day I saw you as a puppy back in June so many years ago.

I don't know how I can say thank you in a way you can understand. You were my ever present companion. You were born in Pittsburgh in late April over 14 years ago. You moved with me to Japan when you were only 10 weeks old. I always wondered if you barked in Japanese. Remember how the Japanese girls would flock around you when we went on walks in town. I’ll won’t forget how you would jump up on the pool table at my office and stick your head in the pockets trying to get at the pool balls.

I'm sorry about all the vet checks and when I had to put you in a kennel for a month when we moved to Australia in 2000. But you had so much fun for the two years we were down under. I won't forget when you first saw Kangaroos or when I snuck you into a hotel room when we went on a road trip. Everyone who every met you always said what a wonderful dog you were.

I'm sorry for the long plane ride from Australia to Virginia you had to make in a crate. I tried to get you in the plane cabin with me but they wouldn't let me. You kind of out grew the pet carryon bags available and couldn’t fit under the seat in front of me.

We had so much fun in Virginia and I had some hard times that you were there to help me thru. You weren’t very happy the day I brought Hanna home. Hanna is a good dog so please forgive me if you were less than happy at the idea of a second dog in the house. When we found Stella you took to her just like you did to me. You stopped following me around the house and were always a few steps behind her then. I didn't mind. You girls need to stick together.

I was heartbroken when your ears became so infected that you had to have surgery. I wish I could have done more then. When you went blind I was devastated but you seemed to take it all in stride. I can only image how difficult it was for you when your world become only what you could smell. Your nose was amazing. From the other side of the house you always knew, within minutes, when Stella or I opened a can of dog food.

These last couple of months you were so tired. It was so hard for you to get out of your bed and just watching you walk and how stiff you were hurt me so. I'm so sorry I couldn't help you more. I wish you could have come with Stella and me on our RV trips. You would have had so much fun. I know how much you enjoyed rides and going to new in different places.

I did something a little silly for you Coco-Bear. I hope you don’t mind but I had a star named after you and I know you'll like this; it's in the constellation of Canis Major, also known as the Big Dog constellation. I can’t see the star this time of year. I will have to wait to later in the winter when the star appears. I’ll find it and will always remember you every time I look at the winter stars in the sky.

Wait for me in heaven Cocoui. It may be a bit but Stella and I will be with you again and we can play fetch with golf balls all day long and never get tired. Introduce yourself to Spotty, Happy, Alfy, Daisy, Chichi and Chachi. I’m sure they can tell you stories about me from many years ago.

You’ll always be my special girl and you’ll be in my heart and thoughts forever.

Dale