My puppy

I've been wanting to do this post for awhile. Today seemed like the day to do it. Pregnancy has made me extremely emotional and today was no different. (Sometimes I feel like a crazy person...crying one minute and laughing the next!) But I saw a picture of my puppy and I lost it. Lots of crying and looking over pictures for 45 minutes.
Gaby was my childhood pet. We got her when I was 8 years old. She was our Christmas gift and I'll never forget going to pick her up. She was so little. I remember a few days after she had been home, it was getting late and I was going to bed so Gaby was too. I held her like a baby and I sang and rocked her to sleep.

She was the best dog. She knew whenever I was sad or sick and she'd always come cuddle with me. When she was sick, I would sleep on the floor with her. Even when she was old I would always call her my puppy. She loved everyone. I could go on for days and days with all the stories.

Earlier this year, she just stopped eating. She was 13 years old. After a few days she just kept getting sicker and sicker. We took her to the vet and just like I held her before, I held her again as she fell asleep. She was always there for me and I was always going to be there for her. The vet gave us a very comforting poem...I absolutely love it.

"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. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her 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 know I'll see Gaby again. I miss her. Every time I see a dog who even somewhat resembles her, I get choked up. I still go to my parents house and want to call her name, expecting her to come running. She's not just a dog; she was a part of our family. She's my puppy and I love her.