You want us to write a love eter to our own dogs? ok, here goes....


Dear Nicki,
I got you when you were sooo incredibly tiny. Not even 8 pounds and we bottle fed you. To my amazement my little girl grew into a 99.7 pound sweetheart. When you were a puppy, you were so BAD! You chewed everything from shoes to furniture. You loved to run free and cause my heart to leap from my chest as I chased after you. Remember the Blizzard of '96? You had a blast leaping in the three foot deep snow! To this day, you turn into a puppy when you see snow.

Over the years, you mellowed out quite a bit. You went from an energetic little puppy to a sweet companion that follows me everywhere. It means the world to me that you love the man I married. You sure do LOVE your daddy! That means I married the right guy, to have you give your approval so strongly! The feeling is mutual because daddy thinks you're the best doggy in the world! We wonder if we are slightly prejudiced towards you... unitl we see how others react to your charms. I must say that my heart swells with pride when people comment on what a "wonderful" dog you are. Anyone who meets you threatens to steal you away with them. They all call you "wonderful" and they are right!

Your image is forever burned into my heart. I picture you sitting at the top of the steps with your favorite baby in your mouth waiting for us to come to bed. I hear you wimper to join us in the tiny bed, though you somehow manage to gain access to the empty real estate between our ankles.

It breaks my heart to see you getting older. I see your reaction time slowing down and question whether your hearing is as sharp as ever. I see you reluctant to hop into bed lately, and then you get up a lot slower than ever before. I don't know what I'll do the day we take you to the bridge. A part of me will be leaving with you, and I'll never have it back until you and I meet up again at the bridge.

I love you with all my heart and soul, my dear sweet Nicki