Tess, how do I start this tribute to you? With tears in my eyes I want you to know how much we loved you for almost 8 years that you lived with us. You were truly a member of the family and are missed so much. Your favorite rocking chair in the kitchen is empty now. I look at it and can still see you sitting there looking all around keeping an eye on everyone. You came to us almost 8 years ago and from the time you walked in the door you were at home here. You checked out the other dogs and the house and the fenced yard. You were never crated from the day you arrived. You were such a good girl and we never had to worry about you when we were out.
You were gentle with all the others and gentle with us as well. I never saw you nip or growl at anyone or anything in all the time you were here. You loved to play in the yard and roam around and check out things new to you. You would always let me know when you needed to go outside and if ever we weren’t there when you needed to go you used your doggie pad. You let me put sweaters and coats on you and brush you and keep your eyes clean. You liked your doctors and you liked to be groomed. Always polite and kind and patient with all things.
You could really jump and that was when you decided from day one that the antique rocking chair in the kitchen was a good spot for you. We put an extra pillow and a soft blanket on there for you. You were really the only one that could jump up there and it was such a good place for you. You also had a recliner in the family room and of course slept in bed with us at night. You would always snuggle up with us and sleep all night. Also when you came here to live with us we found out how much you loved children. Our grandchildren were your favorite people and later on the boys next door became your friends. Another thing you liked to do when a bit younger was to figure out ways to get the food container open and help yourself. We also caught you several times on the kitchen table helping yourself to a snack. You were just fun loving and we could not help laughing at your antics.
Last summer one of your friends, Angel, died from kidney disease and you were so kind during her illness and always checked on her as if you were worried. Last fall we took you for a check up and you had some blood work and we found your kidneys were not working too well.
You were beginning to look older and your jump was not as smooth as it had once been so we added a foam pad at your rocking chair and a padded stool at your recliner to help you get up and down. About six weeks ago you started to be picky with your eating and your stomach was queasy. We took you to the vet and blood work showed your kidneys were getting worse. We decided to do sub cutaneous fluids every day for a week and then every other day to see if it would help you to feel better along with supplements and meds for your tummy. You did pretty well for about 3 weeks and then you seemed to be slipping back as weaker and not eating quite as much and getting on your chairs grew harder. On April 14, 2016 another of your “kitchen dog” friends Alma died suddenly from a perforated bowel that happened suddenly. I could tell that you missed her.
We continued with your fluids but I could see that you were starting to give up. You were so strong willed and I knew if you were not fighting as hard it was time to say good bye to you as you were ready to go to heaven. We took you to the vet on Thursday, May 12 at 5 pm and you slipped away very gently. We held you as you died and you looked right at our faces and we told you good bye and that Alma would be there waiting for you to welcome you to heaven. You were gone in seconds and it was such a very hard time for us. A gentle, sweet little family member was gone. You had turned 15 years old April 23, 2016 and you had a good life. You had almost 8 years of fun here with us. We were blessed to be your Mom and Dad. We have agreed that you were probably the most gentle Yorkie we have ever had in our home. I cannot say anything but good things about you—a lady, liked to cuddle, liked to give kisses and were happy to see everyone that came to the house. It was a joy to have you in oour family. You are buried in the backyard beside your friends Angel and Alma.
I just feel that is where you would want to be. You are close to the pond that you enjoyed looking at when you were outside. You spent lots of time roaming around the yard and that is where you need to rest–the place you loved. You are missed greatly and we got such nice notes from people about how much they loved you too. You were meant to be in our home and wish that the whole 15 years would have been with us but thankfully, the last 8 years you were here.
You will always be in our hearts and I know you are looking down on us. I will try to cry less and remember the many, many good times of a great little girl, a companion, a friend and a family member. Thanks Tess but just being you.
We will love you and miss you always,
| Tess |
| 12, May 2016 |
| Vicki and John Manker |