Raggedy Ann came into our life 12 years ago (1993) and she was about 2 years old then. Such a tiny little creature that was immediately full of love and devotion for all of us.
We called her “rags” for short. She weighed in at 10 pounds and was brown and black with unruly hair on the top of her head which was never long enough to put a bow in BUT too short to lay down properly. She was mostly Yorkie with a little bit of something added I think.
Last Halloween, we dressed Rags up in a princess outfit that was pink with a pointed cone hat and veil. The trick or treaters thought she was so cute and I must admit she looked so darling.
Rags became our constant companion, always on a chair or sofa with someone and always sleeping in bed at night with me. Even though she was by far the smallest of our animal friends, she ran the roost and kept all the others in tow.
As she progressed in years her disposition became sweeter and no matter how sick she was or what she had to endure in the way of baths, medicine, etc. she always responded with a kiss. She never even pretended to growl or bark at any of us.
We always felt that Rags could understand 90% of every word spoken to her and at most times all you had to do was point a finger and she knew what to do or NOT to do.
She developed a skin allergy that left her miserable especially in the summer months. We would put on little jackets and suits and finally hit upon the “onesies” that babies wear. We bought Rags onesies in size 0-3 months and they snapped at the crotch and we cut a hole where her little tail could poke out. It gave her some relief from the itching and she looked so cute.
One suit was black and red and looked like a little skindiving or scuba suit and one of our favorite pictures of Rags is in this suit.
About 2 years ago she started losing all of her teeth. Eventually she lost them all and consequently her little tongue would hang out of her mouth, giving her a comical look to some but to me it just made her all the sweeter.
She passionately loved my sister Marleen and when she heard her come for a visit she would yelp in a high pitch and beg to be picked up and would not leave Marleen’s side until she left again.
She truly loved us all and loved us unconditionally. We buried our beloved Rags today (May 27, 2005). She was 14 and so sick with cancer.
I know she is one of God’s little angels now. I am sorry I did not show as much compassion and understanding as I could or should have. I will always have to live with that. I pray she knew how dearly she was and IS loved now and forever.
I Love You Baby Girl,
| Raggedy Ann |
| Chris Nelson |