The Sparkle in my Life
March 2009 to October 2019
My dearest Sparky,
Even though you have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge, I feel your warm spirit and vibrant energy beside me. Oh, the adventures we had! From the oceans to the desert and the mountains. Joy was our middle name.
From the moment I laid eyes on you as a six-month-old skinny pup from Baja, I knew we were destined to be best friends. The way you nuzzled my neck and clung to me tugged at my heart. Of course, those big pointy curious ears, bunny-soft tan, and white fur and a tail that curled tightly above your back endeared you to me forever. I called you my Lucky Leprechaun and honored you with a birthdate of St. Patty’s Day.
You must have been an old soul. Your calm nature and steady loyalty always reassured me that life was good. I never felt alone with you here. Whenever I came home, you were right there at the garage door, ready to greet me and run circles in the yard to show me how happy you were.
You were so brave to travel with Mom and me on our road trips. We loved our male escort! People always commented on your good behavior. I was always so proud of you.
Read about Sparky’s travels in his own words.
I especially loved watching you at the beach as you chased the ball with all your might and waded into the water to cool off. Most times, you dropped the ball in the water, requiring me to fetch it for you! Your frolicking deer-like dances in and out of the surf always made me giggle. Somehow, I knew you did this to entertain me.
We were both there for each other, like a marriage—a solid commitment, a relationship so strong and tight it defied reason, a soul connection at the deepest level possible. There will never be another one of you. I honor your spirit and am grateful for the perfect 10 years we shared together. I miss you every day.
I love you always and forever. May our paths meet again someday. Please.
Mom XXOO
“Dogs, lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you’re going to lose a dog, and there’s going to be great anguish, so you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can’t support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There’s such beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware that it comes with an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and the mistakes we make because of those illusions.”
― Dean Koontz, The Darkest Evening of the Year
“A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his.”
― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog