George by Doug Drabkowski

Dear George –

You were my friend,
my companion, my buddy, and my son.
You helped me through the good and bad days.
You were always there for me
when I needed someone to talk with.
You always greeted me
when I returned home with a joyful look and
would then ran off in eagerness
to get a toy to share with me.

I grieve over losing you just two short days ago
after spending 8 years with you.
I am in constant tears.
You were my constant companion and
provided unconditional love to me,
and to those whom you met.
You touched many aspects of my life –
even the decisions that
I made in a house, in building
a fence around the property,
in when I came home,
in going for therapeutic walks.
I could always talk with you and
you would listen.
You heard many of my cares, my problems,
my heartaches and
you always responded
with a wagging tail, bright eyes,
and a dog’s smile.

George, you were the pick of the litter,
the first born of 11 puppies,
named after George Washington,
on whose birthday you were born.
From the day I brought
you home to the day you died
you were such a special dog to me.

You were always excited to go
for walks and encouraged me
to get out of the house and
walk with you which was so therapeutic
for both of us.
I will miss your goodness and
gentle spirit and love for me.
I will miss your hair,
which was ever shedding and
collecting throughout the house.
I will miss the encouragement
hat you gave to me and to so many others.
I will miss how you would growl
over your marrow bones.
I will miss giving you a shampoo.
I will miss going on a drive with you and
having you slobber all over the windows.
I will miss having you pull me
along on walks and
as a result naming
my e-mail address after you.
I will even miss how you
unintentionally broke my leg.

I so regret not being here
with you and for you in your last hours.
I regret leaving town and
having the neighbor take you
for a run which was just too much for you.
How I regret not being
in better control of a situation
that ultimately led to your untimely passing.
How I regret that your body
was shutting down at the hospital and
that I was not there to hold you and
say my farewells to you,
holding and comforting you.
It was so heartbreaking today
picking up your collar and
a sample of your hair
from the Animal Hospital where you died –
knowing that I was not there for you.

George, right now, I am having
such a difficult time living without you.
This house is so lonely and
empty without you.
Your hair is still found
in corners of the room, and
your half-buried beef marrow bones
(which you buried with your nose)
are still scattered though the yard.
Your leash reminds me that
you are not here to go out for a walk.
As fall and winter approach
I will miss walking through
the leaves and snow with you.

George – I miss you terribly and
will always have a special place in my heart.
My life will not be the same without you.
My life has been blessed because of you!.
I send my loving goodbyes to you,
but you will always be with me.

With much love for always –
your master,
your friend, and your buddy forever –
Doug

With love for always,

Doug