Author: Deneen

Donovan,

It has been almost 3 weeks since you left us and it seems like years since I have seen you! We love and miss you so much and our home and family are not the same without you! I remember the first time we saw you and the day we adopted you. You were so small and looked so scared when I held you wrapped in a towel in my lap on the way home. I became your momma that day and loved you like my child. I promised you that day that I would do everything I could to make sure that you had a wonderful life.

I wanted you to have a “perfect” life. I hope you knew that. I know that you loved life. Anybody who knew you or just met you while on one of our walks, could see that too. Your eyes were bright and your smile was beautiful! You loved, trusted and bonded with humans even more so than with other animals. I hope that is a testament to how much love, trust, respect and kindness we always showed you. Not one person that ever knew you, did not fall in love with you! The responses since you passed away show that! People have said that you were awesome and one of a kind and could steal a person’s heart in seconds….
I know that for sure!

You stole mine and took some of it with you when you left! You were my best friend, companion and momma’s handsome boyfriend!! I miss playing squeaky ball and fetch and tug. I miss sitting on the grass with you and giving you a belly and chest rub. I miss our walks so much. I miss the way you would chase the birds in the yard and then look back at me with that smile like you were proud and showing off. I miss you acting crazy like you had rabies when you would lay on your bed! I miss taking you with me in the car to pick Jessica up from school.

We both miss the way your tail would wag and you could not wait to lick and kiss her when she got into the car. Coming home is not the same without you greeting us at the door. I miss your kisses. I really can’t think of anything that I don’t miss about you. I want so badly to hug you right now. I want you to give me one of your wonderful kisses. You made me feel better when things were tough. Just being with you made me feel calmer and happier. You loved me always, no matter what. You accepted me for what I am, even if I was not perfect.

You taught all of us so much about unconditional love, patience, understanding and the beauty of God’s creatures. I am having a rough time now. I am trying to be strong, the way you were, but it is so hard. I cry a lot and look at your picture and miss you so much. We will never forget you or stop loving you! You were a once in a lifetime gift and you will never be replaced. We will always keep your memory alive. I pray each day that you are in heaven playing and eating and
that you are happy.

I can’t bear the thought of you being lonely, scared, confused or sad! Please be happy and safe. Chase the birdies and the “bad boys” and watch over the gardens until we all meet again. Please be waiting for me there. When I get there, we will run and play and feed the birds again. I will give you the best belly rub ever and I expect some kisses in return. We love you Donovan and miss you more than you could possibly ever know. You were the most handsome dog I have ever seen and your coat was so silky soft. You were so kind and gentle and loving and that surprised some people who did not expect that from such a large dog.

I will hang your stocking at Christmas and I will cry, knowing that you will not be there to enjoy your Christmas goodies with your family. We will miss you next summer when we swim and BBQ. You were Poppa’s BBQ Buddy! I hope you know that we did everything we could to get you well and we would have kept going if you did not seem to be suffering so much.

I am so sorry, Donovan. I am sorry that you got sick and that your life was cut short. We all had so many more years of love, friendship and fun to look forward too. It will not be the same without you!