ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

THEA - June 15, 2007 - one year ago today - the painful decision to not let you suffer was made. That was one of the most painful days of my life and I had many more after that - thinking of you and missing you. You were my "soulmate" - we did so many things together and went through so much together.

But today - instead of being sad - it will be a day of remembering your life and all the good things and fun things you did and we did. We had 14 wonderful years and God blessed me with you and I will always thank Him for you.

The first picture we took of you. We had only had you for less than a week - you were about 8 months old and already I loved you. And even though you were small, you still thought you were tougher than Spirit!!

Then we decided to let you become a momma. But even though you had an adorable baby girl, she didn't live. You were very sad for awhile but we got through that.

Then we decided to torment you and Tiki came into our life. She was very much a "stinker" and always wanted to play and wrestle with you. At first you didn't want anything to do with her but then you became best friends forever.

You always made us laugh when you wanted something - cause even if we put it up high out of your reach, you would show us by jumping very high and taking it from us!! You did love to jump. You could jump from a standstill at my feet and jump into my arms with no effort. And then there was Christmas!!! How you loved Christmas and getting into the presents and the paper. You thought every present was yours!! You were so funny at Christmas.

Then Fancy came along and the three of you were the best of buddies!!! You would all race around the yard, chasing each other and jumping out at each other!! You were so much fun to watch. You were definitely "The Three Amigos"!!

The time then came when the Lord showed me what He wanted us to do. I discovered you were wonderful with the elderly at nursery homes. You loved being with Mom when she was first admitted to the nursing home. You slept with her when she took a nap and sometimes even didn't want to go home with me. I think you would have been content to spend the night with her. After we came home, our therapy dog training began and you spent many hours visiting nursing homes, hospitals, special education classes. You logged in "officially" 250 visits to receive your "Outstanding Therapy Dog" award. But I would guess you had over 500 visits in your career as a therapy dog. You were so patient with everyone and would sit so quietly on their laps to be petted. You were a blessing to them and to me.

As you got older, you became deaf and didn't see very well and you became very white around your muzzle and head. But that didn't stop you from continuing to enjoy your visits and playing with your buddies.

As your time here grew shorter, you still continued to give me your love and I loved you in return. You were pampered and cuddled and loved. Today I won't think about the last few weeks of your life. They were hard and it makes me sad to think of that time. So instead I will remember you in all the silly and wonderful things you did - jumping at my back when it was time to eat, running up and getting in my face and staring into my eyes when I first came home from work as if to say - "Are you really home??"; sitting with Mom on her lap, getting Fancy by the throat and spinning her around on the floor, going to sleep on Jo's lap and waving bye to her, and curling up by my side in bed every night.


I love you Thea and I miss you still a lot - but I will always, always have 14 years of wonderful memories in my heart that will never be lost!!!

THEA
08/06/92 - 06/15/07