Anna by Josey

This tribute is dedicated to Anna. Our 6 year old beautiful Golden Retriever who went to Heaven on Friday July 5th.

I came home from school one day to walk in the house and meet a new puppy. My mom told me to name her and I chose Anna short for Anastasia. Anna was a playful little golden puppy with floppy ears and big feet. She was adorable. She filled the few remaining months in the house where I grew up with
love trouble and companionship.

She then accompanied us into a house in a different neighborhood and grew into the most well behaved dog with the greatest personality. My mom spend countless hours training her and teaching her little tricks that made her even more special. She could turn out the kitchen light push the button on the fridge to get herself ice. She would open the drawer and get her leash when she wanted to go for a walk or get out a bone
when she was in the mood
for a treat.

When we moved again to the house my mom still lives in is when Anna really bloomed. My mom trained her to become a therapy dog. Since Anna was so well trained and behaved she passed the test with flying colors. She then went once a week to a local nursing home and brightened the day for many elderly folks who loved her weekly visits as much as
she loved being there.

Anna was spoiled especially around Christmas time. She would rip open her gifts with as much enthusiasm as a young child and then play with her new toys for hours. She also loved “Babies” this being in all senses of the word not just human babies. She loved kittens puppies birds anything living and smaller than her. My mom always referred to them as “Babies” which meant for Anna to be gentle. Anna was wonderful with children and people of all ages and loved when we had company. She participated in “Paws for a Cause” which was held by our local SPCA to raise money. Anna would eat off a fork or a spoon. She had better table manners then most adults I know. Her tail was always wagging and she was always happy. She loved to swim down at the river and
go for walks.

Best of all she was always there when you just needed someone to hug. She was the most loyal and loving pet we have ever had. Anna was only 6 years young when we found out that she had thyroid cancer and that it was untreatable and spreading like wildfire. My mom had called me to say that she was taking Anna to the vet because she was choking a lot when she tried to drink. At the vet they found a large tumor in her throat and a mass in her lungs. They mentioned that it could be cancer but they wouldn’t know for sure until the biopsy came back in a few days.

I tried to stay positive while waiting for those results we all tried not to think negatively until the test results were in and we found out our options. The test results came back positive for cancer and that it was throughout her entire body. The vet suggested putting her down soon to avoid any suffering since it would spread so fast but my mom asked for just one more day. She was doing better the next day not choking as much but still very tired and breathing in very short shallow breaths.

The vet told my mom she might be okay for another week or so. During those last few days Anna was very ill. She slept most of the time and ate only chicken breast but she still pulled her leash out and wanted to go for a walk everyday. On the night of July 4th Anna barely slept because it was hard for her to breathe when she laid down so my mom and Larry stayed up with her all night and made the decision to take her to the vets in the morning so she could sleep in heaven.

When my mom called and told me that Anna had become an Angel I cried so hard and still am now. Anna was the greatest dog I have ever known; she was loving loyal playful and a best friend right until the very end. I miss her terribly and my heart breaks for losing her but I know she is in a better place now out of pain and with God. I know she will be waiting for all of us at the Rainbow Bridge when we all meet
again in Heaven.

So to Anna…I love you more than words can say and I miss you more than my heart can bare. Thank you for always being there and giving an endless supply of love and companionship. You are and always will be the best friend a person could have. Wait for me at that bridge until we meet again in Heaven where
we can all be together forever.

I love you!

Josey