Tootsie the Terrier-ist

August 15, 1992 - August 4, 2006

This picture is truly the essence of Tootsie.
Head up, ears alert, tail curled and hackles raised,
facing the world on her terms, fearlessly.

 

Dear Tootsie,

You’ve only been gone a little while, but I miss you so much that my whole body aches. You were a part of me for so many years that I don’t seem to know how to function without you here.

You were only 18 pounds in your prime, yet you were the biggest dog I have ever known. Your combination of intelligence, courage and tenacity were unique. You took life on your terms, always, and even when you frustrated me to pieces I had to admire your determination.

You were such a bad dog! There wasn’t a trashcan invented that was safe from you, and you even found ways to open cabinets and climb onto counters to get to what you wanted. The list of things you chewed on and through was legendary. Doors, carpets, walls, subfloor, remote controls, hair scrunchies, knick-knacks, underclothing, and let’s not forget Grandpa and Daddy before you got to know them – nothing was safe from your teeth. I was amazed when you figured out the locking mechanism of plastic crates, and quit chewing through the side of them in order to break the metal over the lock so you could bite down on it and let yourself out. When we finally found a wire crate strong enough to hold you, I felt so sorry for you and your fear. I wish something we’d tried over the years to alleviate your separation anxiety had worked. I’m so glad that when we moved to this house, we were able to leave you out of the crate.

You were a great traveling companion. I know you hated the flight from the Philippines to the US, but after that, most of our trips were by car. You helped me occupy many boring hours on long road trips, and made running around town so much fun. You noticed things I didn’t, and caused me to be more aware of my surroundings.

You had so little use for most people that those of us on “your list” felt honored. When you loved someone, you did it with your whole heart. Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Nancy, Daddy, TJ and of course your Mommy – it was a short list, but we all loved you so much in return. No matter how long you were away from someone, you remembered them, and took such joy in seeing them. Your hugs were truly special, and one of the things I’ll miss the most.

You ruled the doggy roost around here. You’d think a small dog would be at the mercy of the larger ones, but the one rule every dog entering this house quickly learned was “The Little White Dog is Boss!” You backed up your claim with your teeth when necessary, standing with your front paws on a Lab’s shoulders so you could bite their ears, while they stood frozen and waiting. But you'd play with them, too, and coax them to be their silliest, as long as they knew you were the boss! Even with you gone, none of them will lay on the bed in the corner.

 

I have so many memories of you Tootsie – my heart is full of them. I remember the tiny scrap of white puppy given to me by my Filipino landlord so many years ago. I remember you swimming the river to get to the boat I was in . . . soaking your fur with my tears when Loki died . . . the tag team games you and the cats used to play . . . our wild chase games in the house. I remember you chewing on your blue fuzzy, and the way you’d sit in a chair and fight sleep so that your head bobbed up and down as you dozed and startled awake. I can picture you curled into a ball, with your tail over your nose in your “sled dog” position. I remember the baby deer you met, the way the two of you touched noses and exchanged soft kisses. And I have a houseful of Labs who get the morning crazies, and throw themselves on their backs in my bed each morning, wiggling from side to side and grunting and biting their feet as you taught them to do.

It was so hard to watch you grow old and weak. To see the sparkle leave your eyes, and to realize you’re hearing was almost gone. It was so hard to take you on that final ride, and to hold you as you left me, but I’m glad you’re not in pain anymore. I know you must miss me as much as I miss you, but I hope you’re happy. I hope Chrissy was the first to greet you, wagging and licking you in the face as she used to do, and that Seno and Kolit were there to pounce on you. I hope Sushi said hello, and that you were able to greet Loki and Meisha for me. And I’m sure you got to meet, for the first time, those that went before your time, especially Charlie and Punkin. I hope you’re all having a great time, running and playing and inventing new games, and I’m quite sure you’re the one bossing the others around.

Be happy, my sweet girl, and be at peace, and someday I’ll join you. Your eyes will be bright and clear, your hearing keen once again, and you will have the wiggle and bounce of your youth. Until that day, know that my love for you continues, and that I will carry on full of memories of the special friendship we shared. I’ll miss you forever.

Love,
~Mommy

P.S. If you get to meet God personally, please don’t growl at him.

 

 

Thank You For Being A Friend
( Andrew Gold )

Thank you for being a friend
Traveled down a road and back again
Your heart is true, you're a pal and a confidant

I'm not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend

If it's a car you lack
I'd surely buy you a Cadillac
Whatever you need any time of the day or night

I'm not ashamed to say
I hope it always will stay this way
My hat is off, won't you stand up and take a bow

And when we both get older
With walking canes and hair of gray
Have no fear even though it's hard to hear
I will stand real close and say
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend
Thank you for being a friend

And when we die
And float away
Into the night
The milky way
You'll hear me call
As we ascend
I'll say your name
Then once again

Thank you for being a friend