Sarah Lee - April 2003, 11 years, 6 months old

It's very difficult to express the emotions I feel right now. I cradled my best friend in my arms and carried her to vet's for the last time. I held you tight and comforted you until the end. In my head I know I did what was best for you, but my heart aches so. Life is lonely now without your companionship.

I had Mike bury you in my garden. You loved to come back with me and chase the birds off the wall. You were always by my side in the yard. Hours were spent sunning yourself on the deck, belly up. What a sun goddess you were.

I remember the day; the girls picked you out of Hannah's litter. You had this wonderful cowlick running up the center of your back. Little did I know that those hairs would stand straight up every time you came to my defense! You may have been small, but you were so brave.

I raised you with my daughters. You enjoyed them while you were ALL growing up. Oh the memories! Your comforted me when they left home. You helped to fill my void and I, too, filled yours.

I miss you greeting me at the door when I come home from work. I would tell about my day and you would tell me about yours. You always listened so completely. But the evenings are the hardest; I miss our nightly cuddling on the couch more than anything else. You were my best friend and will live in my heart forever. The family misses you dearly. Rest in peace; keep the birds in line in heaven.

Your Loving Family, Mike, Kim, Sabrina and Natasha

Cori 'Pookie' - April 2003, 17 years old

Brittany Walker - April 2003, 15 years old

My little Britt, I had the most wonderful 15 years in my life, with you. I am so sorry that you got old and sick. The day you died tore my heart out, I no longer have a faithful friend meeting me at the door, and waiting to see if I am getting dressed to go to work, or staying home! You will always remain in my heart, and if I could have saved you I would. I miss all your little habits,the little shuffle and prancing. I have always believed in God and heaven, and now my greatest prayer is that you will be waiting for me. Be happy, I miss you.

Love, Mom

Duke's Grace - April 2003, 12 years old

Grace, by defintion means to pardon, to love at all times, regardless of any circumstance. Our dear Grace gave us 12 years of love, laughter and companionship. I cannot remember a childhood memory of mine where she was not there. She was famous for the ceaseless licking that her little tongue inflicted on anyone that came into contact with her. She could lick the frown right off your face. She truly had a sweet spirit that brought so much joy to our lives. My favourite memory will always be of her dedicated charge to the squirrel tree every day in hopes of repeating her victory that was well over a year earlier. I believe that if there could be a dog in heaven, she is there, in the lap of my dear mamaw. We love you Grace.

Maxwells

Dee Dee (My Sunshine) - April 2003, 6 years, 3 months old

My Beloved Dee-Dee (My Sunshine) I miss you more then any words can say, I know your in a better place. You left so suddenly with no warning, in my arms. No other animal will ever take your place in my heart. You are now up in heaven with all those babies that don't have any mommies or daddies with them, you can take care of them the way you did me, when I didn't feel good. I will forever love you, My Sunshine... Love Always - Your Mom (Kami)

Marcus Xavier - April 2003, 14 years, 1 month old

Marcus was my dearest friend. He was a puppy in 1989 when I was 21 and very ill, and always by my side when I was treated with very strong anti-cancer drugs. I became well, and got very busy with my career, and he became strong, and often stayed home alone. I often felt guilty, but he waited for me to get home, very faithfully. When he got older, I moved closer to my parents, so that he could have them check in on him frequently. I still often suffer migraines and complications from the early days of my illness and just several weeks ago, was home ill from work, and there was my faithful friend by my side, making sure I was warm and feeling cared for. What I did not realise was that he was very sick with cancer. I went on vacation three weeks ago and he enjoyed a last week with his 'grandparents' at their home. I came back and he stopped eating and no longer barked. He went to the vet. I made the difficult choice to let him go when I saw he was in pain. His autopsy showed that the cancer was all through him. He stuck around longer than most would have, and I believe he did so because he was such a loyal companion. I will never again have a frind like Marcus.

Charlie Huston - April 2003, 14 years old

Our comical, sweet best friend, Charlie, passed away on Easter Sunday 2003. He was a rescue from a local shelter: we had him for 4 1/2 years and loved every minute of it!!!

Charlie will always be remembered for his love (obsession) for pizza and squeaky toys, hatred of baths! and ability to make everyone smile. We will miss him terribly, as will his adoptive sister, Penny.

Hugo Matelli (Baby Doo) - April 2003, 1 years, 10 months old

Hugo, I miss you with all of my heart. You were a special part of my life and and a big part of every day. I wish I Could relive the day I lost you and protect you. I wish you were still here to sit up with your beautiful little face cocked to one side, pounce against my leg to let me know you are still there, be my little shadow, sleep behind my knees. No one can replace you. There is a hole left in our family. We love you.

LeeAnna, Maddie and Steve Matelli

Travis Geronikos - April 2003, 16 years, 2 months old

Trav, you were the light of our lives. You will be forever in our hearts. Our home is so empty without you. Rest in peace dear friend. Thank you for all the love you gave us.

Whizzer Dressler - April 2003, 6 years old

Whizzer was a wonderful dog. She always knew what she wanted in life - that was to be taken into a home with people to love her - and that's exactly what she got. I have three wonderful children who took her in and gave her a wonderful six years. Whizzer went every where we went. My daughter, Stephanie, especially loved this dog. Whizzer had been there for Stephanie to cuddle when she needed her as she was always there for her. We couldn't ask for a better dog, than Whizzy. We all loved her and going to miss her alot. WE LOVE YOU WHIZZER!!!!!

Chin-Chin (Thalia of Pico de Loro) - April 2003, 6 years, 10 months old

Kaming lahat, Dad, Tita, Anj, Carol, Estela at Nida, na nacu-cute-tan sa iyo ay hindi ka namin makakalimutan. Sana ay hindi ka pa nawala sa mundong ito katulad ni Muning. Mabilis ka kasing tumakbo patungo sa finish line, iyan tuloy and nangyari. Wala na ngayong makakaaway si Muning. We will never forget you Chin-Chin. Thanks for your presence in our lives and God Bless!

Rocky - April 200 13 years, 6 months old

To my Love

If tears could build a stairway
And memories a lane,
I would walk right up to heaven
And bring you home again.

You came into our life so unexpectedly, but the mark you left here will forever burn in my heart. May you find peace again, and be able to run again. I love you, Rocky.

Pepper Ferreira - Pepperdog - April 2003, 17 years, 6 months old

To the best and most loyal friend, companion, little girl we will ever have. You came into our lives 17 plus years ago - not a day went by without you here. Never did you require much from us. And how you were loved by all. I know that you are in heaven waiting as you always did. Your cute little face will never be forgotten. And we will never have a wonderful pet/companion like you ever again. My heart misses you, but I know that you are at peace.Thank you for all the years with the boys. They will never forget you either. We love you Pepper Girl, your always in our hearts.

Licorice - April 2003, 10 years old

To Our Besh-b (baby Licorice),

Words will never express how much we love you and miss you. Your absence makes our home feel very empty. You brought ten years of joy to our lives and we know that your life was happy and you felt alot of love from us. We are so sorry that you had to get sick and pass away. We hope that you are at peace and all of your hurts have gone away. You have a very special place in our hearts, and you could never be replaced.

We Love You, Mom, Kandace, and Meow

Spencer Roo - April 2003, 12 years old

Spencer Roo. I am desperate to see you. You were so poorly, I only had one choice - to give you an easy way out. No surgery, no tests.

There was no hope for you to recover as you had pneumonia and you were old.

I love you Spencie I always will, yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I am so proud of you too, how good you were with Sidonie - you really showed us all how pure and full of love your heart was. You knew even though I had a new baby, our bond was the same.

You and me forever Roo - I love you so much.

Mama x

Sasha - May 2003, 16 years old

My best friend and companion for 16 years. She shared my joy and licked my tears. She warmed my feet and guarded my side, sometimes the only one who understood when I cried. It's hard to bear that we're now apart, but she will never be forgotten and lives on in my heart.

Dudley Moore - April 2003, 17 years, 10 months old

Dudley Moore, My Baby, was born on D-Day, the sixth of June in 1985 and was sent to heaven on Good Friday, April 18th this year. He taught me so much about unconditional love. He liked people and animals if they liked him. He would lie on his back for hours if someone would rub his belly. He was so hyper; in 1986, I took him to obedience school. He didn't learn very much because he was so excited to see the other dogs. It was like taking a child to the amusement park. I miss him so much.

Paul Moore, Dudley's Daddy

Lowrider - April 2003, 3 years, 4 months old

Lowrider gave the best kisses in the world. I'm so sorry I wasn't a few seconds faster then you would have been with us. I keep thinking that we were blessed with you for three years and maybe it's greed that still wants you so badly to be here. 'Till we meet again at the Bridge I'll still be loving ya.

Toby Shivers - April 2003, 12 years old

A loving friend, protector and faithful companion was Toby. I know he'll be in heaven waiting for me, ready to have his tummy rubbed and to be fed cheese. Thanks to God for sharing such a loving heart with our family.

Maxie a.k.a. Mama Maxie - April 2003, 8 years old

Although my dachsie was a boy, I called him Mama Max because of the love I had for him. He was my baby...he brought me great laughter and joy. Watching him bark at birds or sleep on top of his other four-legged brother Eddie, he was funny. He would howl at me when I told him 'I love you' and slept with me every night. When our daughter came, he would sleep next to or under her crib and would bark at me when she woke. My most precious moment was being with my baby and holding him as he went on to the Rainbow Bridge. He never left my side and in his final moments of life, I was not about to leave his....I love you baby and will see you again...

Bozley a.k.a. B.B. and 'The King' - April 2003, 15 years old

You were truly 'man's best friend'. There will never be another like you. You are thought about and missed every day. We love you always and forever.

Oliver Alexander Eastwell - April 2003, 3 years, 7 months old

You were only with us for such a short time but what a time we had. We fell in love with you the very first time we saw you. You grew up to be such a beautiful little man. Sometimes I think I can see you in the back yard chasing your beloved butterflies. Little man, you are so sadly missed. Rest peacefully under your butterfly bush.