A note to you.....

.....and yes, I think you know who you are:

Honey, I'm so sorry to hear that Radar joined all our other furry friends up in Heaven, where there's romping and steak, much doggie humping going on, and never a day that's too rainy to run, slide, dig, or roll.

As it took me nearly three years to finally bid my loved ones their fond farewell, I can imagine how much it hurts to still listen for the click of nails on the floor, cold noses on warm skin first thing in the morning, snoring at all hours, (if he a snorer be), how you'll miss even the layer of fine fur gracing each flat surface. So damn hard to let them go, even when that time is upon us, knowing the "right thing" lies in laying them down one last time, your voice in their ear, that you loved them, you'll always love them, and miss them, knowing at last, they're at peace.

I tried to call, yesterday; left you a message on you voice mail, so that you knew, without a doubt that we remembered you in your moments of unendurable grief, that we're here, with a shoulder, or very absorbent tee for you to bury your nose in, wipe your mascara on, recall all those fabulous moments that steal your breath and break your heart, all over again.

There are those that are not pet people; they don't quite grasp the fact that being loved so unconditionally by someone (let's face it, really, we think they're mostly human) grants us the right to be ourselves, good, bad, ugly, or indifferent - they love us anyway. Always happy to see us (unless there's been some shoe eating in the interim, or perhaps some house redecorating with toilet paper - though that may only have been in my house), who've known us their whole lives (as Foxy likes to say) and not once, do they throw bad decisions back in your face.

Keep the things you want to, toss the ones your don't; the toys or leash, collar or bowl you're not sure on? Tuck away for a day when you can face them without tears standing in your eyes, your heart somewhere around your feet, your throat closed solid - for someday, you'll look at them and recall all the loving moments, the laughter and joy, the idiocy R brought to your life.

Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, as you navigate a very rough road, with a tee at the ready, as your water bowl runneth over with grief - for R may be gone, but the paw prints remain on your heart forever.

Love you.