Losing Teddy

On Sunday September 25th our sweet Teddy was hit by a car and passed away. I have never had that kind of a loss for a pet and I was completely devastated, not to mention the kids. We have never had a pet that just fit our family like Teddy. He was such a perfect dog from personality to size and all. That night my friend Tammy sent me a poem that I just have to share and it's called Rainbow Bridge.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...


I just loved that poem! I kept reading it for the next couple days and also had Will and Brianne read it as well. They were having just a hard of time as I was! Carter and Chan were the strong ones who just kept giving hugs and saying it was going to be okay. In fact, the night it happened it was Carter who told me to go and call Tammy. Chan had left with Teddy to take him to the vet office and Carter stepped outside to call him to see how long he was going to be while I was talking to her. He told me that when he stepped out on the deck to make the phone call he looked up and immediately saw a shooting star. He told me that after he saw that he knew that Teddy has okay and that he was in heaven. It touched me so deeply when he shared that with me. It was so heartfelt and sweet. I will never forget it! Chan was amazing as well. He just held me as I cried and cried. And for several days after he would just call out of the blue and with a tender voice ask, "Are you doing okay?" He knew more than anyone how much Teddy meant to me and he told me he was sad too but that more of his sadness revolved around the loss I was feeling. He's an amazing husband- I am truly blessed!

I jotted down some memories of my sweet Teddy. He was my little dog, my friend and I want to always remember the things about him that gave me such joy! Here's just a few that I wrote down:

Eating a chocolate carmel that fell on the floor and getting it ALL over his face!
Bananas- his favorite treat!
Fries- whenever I had them he would pull the cute face to get one! (yeah it worked!)
Jumping out of truck window one day when Chan was driving.
Running into the screen door- several times!
Barking at cricket sounds.
Attacking Patrick (the stuffed animal from Spongebob that Brianne gave him).
Playing with stuffed animals.
Laying in the drawer in the office so he could be by Chan and I.
Growling at people in the drive thru.
Coming with me to pick up kids.
Hunting mice (and right before he died he sniffed out several, and we caught 2 a couple days later! I told the kids Teddy helped us get them.)
Going on vacation with us to St George.
Scratching at my leg when he wanted me to hold him.
Barking loud when I'd pick him up from the kennel- he could hear my voice :)
Hanging on me when I'd drop him off at the kennel.
Rolling on his back in the grass.
Sitting in the sun on the carpet.
Barking when we'd close the gate on his crate.
Belly rubs.
Playing with my hand under a blanket.
Baths in the kitchen sink and him rubbing his face in the carpet after and hating to be brushed!
Growling at Chan when he gave me a kiss.
Chan and I giving each other and him loves so he wouldn't feel left out. We would literally hold him in between us and he LOVED it!

It has been a hard week here at the house trying to adjust to his sweet presence being gone. I miss him the most when I get home from work in the middle of the day. He and I would spend a lot of time together then. And even the kids have remarked at how quiet the house is. But we have a little remembrance box (that Brianne noticed in a store) and I bought it. It looks like a book but it's a box and when you open it his tags, a photo, and the poem are inside. We will always have a piece of him with us and he will ALWAYS be in our heart. We love you Teddy!