Goodbye, Heidi puppy.

A few days ago I got the sad news that my furry friend Heidi Duckwall-Hanley was going to be crossing the Rainbow Bridge. She spent her last evening going on a golf cart ride, seeing her favorite friends before peacefully joining her dear friend Milan. When I heard the news of her illness, I decided the only thing I could do was write her a letter for Aunt Kathy to read to her since I wouldn't be able to get to Ft. Myers in time. She passed on May 13th. I've pasted the letter below so that I'll always have a copy to look back on when I think of Heidi puppy. 

Heidi,

You have been an excellent little puppy! I remember playing with you as a puppy when we first gave you to Milan. You provided so much love and entertainment for him. He always said, "say what you will about my Heidi, she's sure a pretty girl!" He was right. You provided endless hours of entertainment over the years for him and for us! You even got to know the folks at the fast food restaurants around his place since you always hit the drive-thrus together! That time you got loose in Susan's neighborhood and gave Jackson a run for his money trying to catch you is one of my all-time favorite memories. You were so proud of yourself right before he captured you again. Too funny! 

I'll never forget how worried you were when Milan has his heart surgery while you stayed with us back in 2008. You paced and paced and just waited by the door until we told you he'd made it through surgery without any issues. You were such a loyal friend to him until the very end. He talked about you with so much love the last time I spoke with him. I promised him I'd find a great family for you to go to and I certainly did.

I'm so glad that Aunt Kathy made room in her heart, her home and her wallet (!!) for you to spend your last years in sunny Ft. Myers. I certainly enjoyed getting to see you in your new environment and I know you got plenty of love from her. It sure won't be the same having Thanksgiving without you coming down to Naples as you have the past couple of years. It was always so good to see your pretty little face, give you pets and take you for walks. 

Heidi, you've added a lot of joy to a lot of lives and I know that you will be sorely missed. Look for Milan when you cross the rainbow bridge and let him know that all is well down here. I know he will sure be happy to see his pretty girl again. He'll probably even have some kind of treat you should not have ready to give to you!

Big hugs to to Aunt Kathy, Uncle Bob and Cousin Will as they help you with this transition. Ask Aunt Kathy to give you a few extra pets and hugs from me.

I'll miss you, Heidi.

Love you always,

Jenna