Dear Juneau

Dear Juneau,

This week marks the first year of your passing (actual day was August 24th). We knew it would be a year of bittersweet memories and for some crazy reason, we thought the sense of loss would be more manageable as time continued on. But how is that possible when we often refer to you in the present tense.

We chose not to have children but the day that you and your siblings danced and sang into our lives was the day our "family" was complete. You showed us an unconditional love that only a "child" can have. There were days we thought we would never get passed the anger (like chewing door frames of our apartment), days we wondered about your iron stomach (remember when you ate the ant trap and we actually tracked down the manufacturer to see if we needed to rush you to the hospital), and then there were the days we thought you would be with us forever. We yelled and punished (which never lasted longer than 15 minutes before we gave in), we worried, we comforted, we laughed, we hugged and most of all, every day we loved you! Now who can argue that we don't have children.

Nakita misses you most of all I think. You were her soul mate. She had nothing to do with other dogs before you came along and the very second she met you, she accepted and loved you. You showed her tolerance and how to be social with your laid back style. You were the one that literally found her voice. You know, since you left us, we haven't heard her say much. I think she's saving it all for when she gets to see you again. You better be ready, because she's got a lot to say!

Gretchen misses you a lot, too. She loved playing and talking to you and getting you all riled up just for fun and then laying next to you when you showed her it was to time to rest. You know, she went from last to middle child...you would be very proud of the way she is handling herself. She took on your job and she's serious about it. She keeps Nakita feeling young and she keeps Cash in line and reminds him (often) of his place.

Cash...you would have really liked Cash. He shares a lot of your qualities. He loves the sound of his own voice and he talks a lot and loud. He plays with a bit of a mischievous manner in his own sly way, and even though he is all boy, he plays nice with the girls. So many times we look at him and we see a spark of you...you put him in our lives, didn't you?

While we could go on about all the things we miss about you, all we really want to say is:

We miss and love you everyday, Sweet Boy!

With absolute and total love,
Forever Your family
Gayle, Michael, Nakita, Gretchen, and Cash