This is not goodbye , this is I love you forever.........

  Thank you for the past 14 years Topher…🐾

You were the warmest hello and the toughest goodbye. From the puppy once destined to be a strong-willed guide dog to the old soul who stood by my side until the very end, we have absolutely cherished every moment we got to share with you. We grew up together and you were my constant through all the change in my life, good and bad. You watched me start and graduate high school, get my first job, pass my driver’s license test, experience family loss for the first time, join the Army, move out on our own to a new apartment, fall in love for the first time, buy an amazing house, experience every heartbreak with me, and most importantly… you welcomed my son into this world with me. Can you believe I was once that 7th grader more excited than anything for a new puppy when we brought you home? Look at us know big guy… Thank you for being my best friend and my everything. Thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught me and thank you for all the memories we’ve shared. Say “Hi” to Lee and the gang for us, Tokyo. We know Koda, Grover, Tanker, and everyone else welcomed you with wagging tails and all the treats last night. Take care of him for me Lee and thank you for the best 14 years I could ever ask for. 

  We remember when we first met our precious Jack Russell in March of 2013, I was just a twelve-year old boy, at a shelter not far from home where she was little more than skin-and-bones and shy as a bird, staring at me and my parents needingly from behind her gate next to her sheltermate, a yappy Pomeranian. We asked if we could have a few minutes of in-person time with her. Little did we know that that chance meeting would turn into more than ten years of a loving, exciting journey, as we had adopted her mere days after that first meeting, with her sitting on my lap in the backseat of the truck, nervously looking around as we drove her back to her new home with us, her new family. While it took some time and effort, she eventually showed us both the tough and energetic side to her, for she was always up to a game of chase-and-tug with her toys. So much so that we’d practically have to replace them every month or so, and her strength was always impressive, for she could hold on to her toys even after being lifted a foot off the ground! She also enjoyed chasing all the little rodents and small wildlife around our home, speeding off in less than a second with great agility, determined to catch any of the critters she found, even though she never actually managed to catch any. Her strength was enough that, when a friend of mine and I took her for a walk, she managed to down a young tree with the force she exerted through her lead! So tough was she that she always demanded to be the top dog to any dog she encountered Not even horses were exempt, as one day trip to the Eastern Shore proved! Next to chasing little critters, her favorite thing was walks. She could hear us pick up her leash and harness a floor away and would come bounding down the stairs, so excited to go. We loved watching her ears flapping, tail wagging and her bouncing in general as she walked. Sometimes, if she was particularly excited, she would get the zoomies and go sprinting off! Running around in big circles out on the lawn, or back and forth down hallways, jumping over any obstacles in her path with such grace and ease. And even after so much activity, she was still a trooper. So enduring was she that when we’d take her to local festivals, she would walk for miles and hours on end, until we were back in the car where she’d collapse right into a nap. Yet, she had also grown comfortable in showing her more playful and loving side, as it was always impossible to even try and stop her from cuddling up to anyone within range of her resting spots and using everyone as her own personal pillow without regard to what anyone was doing, leading to many impromptu snuggle and cuddle times even in the middle of the working day or while one of us was driving! She would even show this kindness to many of our friends and family; amiable to many people and never afraid to approach anyone from whom she felt she would get pets and a treat! For her unwavering love we would guarantee she too felt safe and loved whenever she was weakest, for even though she was strong, for though she was a strong and brave girl, her sole fear was harsh weather. Any time she heard thunder or harsh rain she would start pacing back-and-forth restlessly, always trying to seek out her family and assure us and herself that we were all safe; whenever she could sit, she would shiver and shake like a leaf, and none of us would hesitate to wrap her up in blankets, build little pillow forts around her, or just take her into our arms and hold her snug and close so she could feel secure. Whenever she was ill, we would do everything we could so that she had the best treatments we could afford, and made sure her at-home care was comfortable, regimented, yet always compassionate so she could be back on her feet again and ready for anything in as quick a time as possible. On a lighter note, we would always try to take her with us to as many places as we could, whether by car or by plane, whether for visiting family or just for relaxation, we would do so much planning and preparation just so that our little puppy could come with us wherever we went. She was always endlessly curious anyway, and loved traveling as much as we did for all the new sights, smells, all the new people who wanted to give her pets, and all the new treats for her to chow down on! However, even as she aged, when she slowed and grayed, there was still so much fight and so much love still in her. She would still play tug-of-war with the treats we'd give her, if given the chance, even letting herself be lifted from the ground with them still in firm hold. She was still so tough even as she no longer picked fights with bigger dogs, for she refused to shrink away from any of them, regardless of size or youth. Even as her legs began failing her and long walks she could no longer take, she would still try to find little hidey-holes for herself to crawl into, hoping to find any critters around or in them, even if it meant getting stuck in the confines of those hideaways for a time, yowling and barking to anyone to save her. She was still so friendly and loving to us and so many others even when her eyes and ears failed her and she could only recognize anyone by smell and by taste. She would still insist on using any of us as her personal pillows, and we would let her even if she ended up losing control of her bladder on us. She would never lose her love of adventure and curiosity, and never would we be without her whenever we went on a trip to parts known or unknown! She will always be precious to us. She had been with me, my family's youngest son, from when I was just a twelve-year old, all the way up till I was twenty-three, and no matter what problems my family and I may have had, she was always there for me, for all of us, with unconditional and unwavering love, even in our darkest moments. My family and I have cherished her in life, and will continue to cherish her as she lives free in the hereafter. You've been with us through thick and thin, You've been our joy in our darkest days, With our love, forever and always, 𝓑𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓪 Age 17 Born – Mid-2000s Adopted – March 21st, 2013 Passed – September 10th, 2022; 2:53PM 

 My sweet Shadow girl! We miss you SO very much you just dont even know! We had you for 18 AMAZING, wonderful years. I only wish for 18 more but you were so ready to go my girl. We will not be the same without you. Thank you for being the “momma “to Devon and Zeier as they both grew up, thank you for being there through all of the deployments while daddy was gone. You were our little girl. Going to miss you “yelling “when anyone would get too rambunctious in the house, or you corralling any little ones that came over out of harm's way. I will be looking for that sign that you have made it across the rainbow bridge. See you in my dreams Shadow girl. 

July 2022

Practically their whole lives my kids asked for a pet. I relented with the beta fish, the hamsters, and even once was forced to love a black lab named Jack. Growing up I had pets and never knew the responsibility was so great because my mom took care of everything. Upon relenting two years ago to my daughter who was desperate to find a pet to comfort her when her sister left for college, I allowed Maelyn and Blair to convince me to rehome Pomeranian by the name of Camby. At nine years old that fluffy fox brought us immense joy. However, Camby ended up being “Blair’s “pet and became her sidekick. He joined us in every celebration. He became a daily source of joy. Little did I know when quarantined in March that Camby would become my solace and my source of joy as he and I camped out on the couch and the chair and in the grass sunning and spending time together on a daily basis. So often I think parents miss the opportunity to tell their children how right they are in situations. To my kids, you were absolutely correct in  finding and loving our sweet Camby. As today marks our final day with our buddy I pray for peace for our family and comfort for the hole that fluffy fox is certainly going to leave. Thank you Dr. Mel for helping us love him unselfishly🐾💖

Fondly,

Ginny Corbett

You were my first dog as an adult. Ten years of pure joy is all you gave to me, and for that, I am forever grateful. Heart failure took you from me 5 yrs ago. Your quirky mannerism, the way you insisted you got things your way, your need to be next to me and touching me at all costs.. I miss those things, I miss you. You helped me through some of the darkest of times, and your memories finally bring a smile to my face as i recall them. Sadness over your loss has finally turned to thankfulness for the time we had.

Gina H.

Virginia Beach

It’s so hard to say goodbye to you grandson. I know it’s not forever and that we will be reunited with you one day but the physical part of you not being here is difficult to say the least. You were/are such a good boy and you touched so many lives in your time here. The amazing bond between you and your momma, you could almost swear that she had given birth to you. You made non dog loving people love you. They couldn’t help it! You loved everyone! And they all loved you! You were Charlie and we were all your angels. Now you are our angel sweet sweet boy. You live on in the hearts you touched. Rest In Peace my grandson. Until we meet again...all my love