My beloved "little girl" --

Whenever I looked at you, I never saw the aging and the white flecks upon your face. I have only ever looked upon you as that puppy so many years ago with the soulful gaze; the darkest of eyes that made my heart smile with every glance my way. You made happiness so natural that it filled every part of our life together. Never a day passed that I didn't cherish your existence in my world.

Whenever I looked at you, I never saw in you anything less than strength of frame. Your toned body, always sleek and shining as if to challenge the light to settle on only one part of it. Years held strong and mirrored inner strength; age was but a number to me. Aging is nothing more than the progression of the soul as it moves us toward another place and another time.

Whenever I held you close, I never saw the lifting spirit as anything but a joy to behold. You welcomed my touch and I yours as we so often shared those special times, just you and I without ever needing another breathing soul to share those special moments. You alone made each new day worth a sun's rise and a moon's awakening.

Whenever I came to realize that our days were growing fewer and your journey here would be ending, I never saw in you anything less than the determination to give me an inner peace in knowing how deep was your love for me. The last hours would prove to me how seamlessly you would make the passage and how I could rely on your strength above my own.

Whenever I now walk into a room and see the sunlight stretch across the floor I will forever see you lying there just as I had so many days and years before. I never saw this last chapter as being so very painful as it has been, but I will always know that you lifted my soul to heights unknown; places where joy nourished my existence. I will miss that feeling every day of my life here now that you are gone from my touch.

Whenever I am blessed to make my journey's end, I pray that you will come for me. I cannot imagine heaven without you and so I will pray that when the dusk finally comes as it does for all of us, you'll only be a breath away and in my arms before my heart has time to miss you more.

S.D. -- March 2009