Kelli,
You were the first dog that I had after I got married. You were everything to me and I was so proud of you! You went everywhere with me and and the night you won the blue ribbon at obedience school, we took you to McDonald’s for a hamburger. I stayed in the waiting room while you were spayed and even saw you before
you were taken to your cage to rest.
You were my baby and then Chris and Andy came along. You were never mean I guess I just didn’t have much time for you any more. I didn’t play with you and sometimes I got upset with you and put you on the back porch. This was so unfair of me, Kelli. This was about 30 years ago and I still cry everytime I think of how I didn’t give you the time that you needed or should have had. One Friday afternoon you got away from me and you ran in front of a car and were hit and killed. As I held your little body I knew that I would never have the opportunity to make it up to you for all the things I should have been doing with you and didn’t.
Kelli, I can’t begin to count the times that I cried and hated myself for not giving you more love and time with me. I keep your picture on the table and so many times say to it-I’m sorry Kelli. I hope that when it comes time for me to come to heaven that I will have you back again and that I can make up for all the lost time without you. We had Heidi for 12 years and I gave all of my time to her and hope that somehow you know that if I could have had another chance, I would do it for you too. When we got our first Yorkie, Whitney, her face was so much like yours and she acts so similar. She has been the joy of my life along with Abby (who passed away a few weeks ago), and Genie, Hannah and Rachael the other dogs that live here.
I hope, Kelli, that you were able to forgive me for not being a better Mom to you. I pray so often for you and hope so much that we will meet again. We will never be separated again if we do. Please know that I love you so very much and after 30 years, I have never forgotten you. I have grown into a better person and my whole life is my dogs. Daddy feels that he neglected you, too, and he still has guilt over this.
You were a wonderful little girl and I know that you are happy now and hope that somehow you will know how sorry were are for not letting you be as important to us as you were when we first got you.
Always in my prayers and in my heart,
| Kelli Kathleen |
| 1974 |
| Vicki Manker |