One year gone

Dear Dakota,

A year ago today we lost you. And we really lost you. It doesn’t seem like a year, even though a lot has happened. But the loss of you is still pretty big. I’ve lost other dogs, D, which you know–but your absence has felt bigger to me. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to decide why that is. I think it’s because of what I felt from the start: You got cheated. You had more years in you and you didn’t get to use them. And I got cheated out of you.

I am still satisfied with your life. You had a wonderful life and I know that. I know absolutely that we took good care of you and that you had a ball. For all but the last year of your life you had 38 acres to explore, and you marked every inch. You had your precious meadow that was your private playground, and you policed it mercilessly, keeping every rabbit, field mouse and vole in line. And when we moved and gave up acres, you gained territory with more rabbits. You had a good life.

You had a Man who rescued you, who didn’t blink over how much lopping off your leg would cost, who said repeatedly that you were family. You had a Boy who intrigued you and provided you with things to wonder about. And you had other dogs to love on. You had Evelyn to love, and she had you to absolutely worship. And you had me.

And I still miss you. I wish you were still here tripping me at the top of the stairs so I could cuss you. You were a pain in the ass in many respects but you were my sidekick and the nicest pain in the ass I’ve ever known.

Love,

Your Woman

Author: Dakota Dawg

Dakota lived high in Colorado and was a member of the February Furballs. He lost a front leg to soft tissue sarcoma on 2-11-11. Dakota impulsively decided to see what the whole "rainbow bridge" business was about on 12-15-12 and before we could stop him, he was gone. But never forgotten. Never.

9 thoughts on “One year gone”

  1. The greatest tribute to a wonderful best friend. I wish I would have gotten a chance to meet him. He honestly knows how much you love him and always will. Hugs Shari. I know today isn’t an easy day.

    Hugs
    Michelle & Angel Sassy

  2. A beautiful memory of a deeply missed friend and family member. Dakota is always with you all in your hearts.

    Esther and her Snoop

  3. Iit sometimes doesn’t matter how long ago it was…. sometimes the pain and heartache feel like it was just yesterday.
    Dakota was the first tripawd I remember running for the bridge after Franklin had his surgery on Dec 4, 2012. I remember reading and just crying, knowing that one day I would know that pain again.
    Hugs to you on this anniversary of Dakota’s arrival in the endless acres at the Bridge!
    Christine…. with Franklin in her heart♥

  4. Hey Pal
    It’s me….your February Furball brother.
    I sure do miss you…
    so does your family, my extended family….
    This is hard day for them…
    It’s ruff for all of us…
    So, send them some angel love and I will too!
    Fly High
    Bud

  5. I can’t help but get watery-eyed reading this Shari, for I feel your grief and can relate, even though much more time has passed for us.

    Yes, you DID give him an awesome life, even if it wasn’t nearly long enough. And what an honor it was to meet your sweet, gentle and wise Dakota. We will never forget him, he lives on in our hearts and among us every time we visit Jerry’s Acres.

    Lotsa hugs coming your way.

  6. What a great tribute to a very special boy. He was someone you didn’t give up on and I know he knew how much you loved him. It showed in every single action from rescuing him to taking care of him to going through the amputation to your drive to the vet the day you lost him. It is true that he didn’t get as much time as he deserved, but he touched many lives through his journey with you.

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