I lost my best friend this week.  She was much more than a sixteen year old Jack Russell dog.  Her name was Foxy and she was a member of our family.  She has been with me through many of my life journeys.  She had a heart of gold and was the meaning of unconditional love.  I can still see those big, brown, trusting eyes.  She lived her life with gusto and purpose.  Even though the vet told me that she had outlived her life expectancy, it didn’t make it any easier.  I know she is in heaven now with all of my other pets that I have lost over the years.  These are some of the things that I will miss most…

Her clicking toenails on our new hardwood and tile floors

Her licking my feet when I got out of the shower

Her barking and chasing the four- wheeler and golf cart

Her growling at the cats when we were eating, daring them to not even think about it

Her running from window to window when Tyler was outside

Her nesting behind my legs when I took a nap on the couch

Her quivering body when we went to the vet’s

Her kissing my face

The way she used to jump and down and “bite” the big dogs

The way she used to sit up like a gopher and beg for food

The way she nudged under my arm to give me a hug and get closer

Seeing those brown eyes looking out the window when I was driving out of the driveway

Her compassion to me when she knew I was sad or down—she just sensed it

Yes, even her piddling on the floor when she got too excited

Her shedding, little, white dog hairs are still all over the house.  Her nose marks are still on the windows.  The memory of her is etched deep in my heart.  She was with me every minute of the day and I am lost without her.  Her name could have been Shadow because she was at my heels everywhere I went.  She was more than a pet to me and I will never forget her.  I know that God will take care of her and me, even though the past few days have been very dark for me.

So, if you have a pet, just pick them up and hug them and thank God for them.  I truly believe that pets are a gift from God and we should savor every moment with them.  I have a ton of pictures of her and a ton of memories that I will always hold close to my heart.  She was one in a million and I miss her so much.

I loved Foxy as did my whole family.  May God bless her.

Gone but not forgotten

Although we are apart

Your spirit lives within me

Forever in my heart.

Lori Barefoot