A tribute to Allie

Yesterday marked one month without my beautiful Allie girl. I missed her a lot yesterday. I wanted to write something about her so you all would know what a wonderful girl she was. All of your babies are so special and each of you has a story to tell about them. But on this one month anniversary I wanted to tell you mine.

Allie never met a soul that she didn't want to be friends with. Other dogs, cats, people, or any creature. She never barked at anyone unless she was defending us or another dog, or sometimes she would just bark into the distance to "ward off trouble." She would run up to anyone and wag her tail and lick them and smile at them. And nine times out of ten the other person or animal would make friends with her too. She was too friendly and sweet not to like!

She was also a sensitive soul, and didn't like to see other dogs in cages at the pet store. In fact, she hated the pet store in general because she thought I might leave her there to be groomed. One time when she saw some dogs for sale through the window, she literally dragged me out to the parking lot because she was so upset and wanted nothing to do with that. She was hard to groom because she had so much hair! I had to brush her every single day. She liked being brushed and sat very still, but she hated the bath. The only times she had her tail down were when she was in the tub.

I didn't have to bathe her that much though because she never smelled like dog! I swear she had a special sweet smell, but maybe it was just me. I am very sad now because I can't recall her scent anymore. I got out a little football jersey she used to wear last night and cried because it didn't smell like her anymore. I put it on a stuffed animal and slept with it last night. It's too big for our other dog Norah to wear.

Allie's favorite place to be was outdoors. She would run as fast as her little legs could carry her and loved to play chase. She would fetch the ball but then usually wouldn't bring it all the way back.

And in the home, she was the sweetest most loving little companion. She would jump up beside me on the couch after work and sit right up next to me. She would use her paw to "pet" me, and she would talk to me with this little language that I knew meant "please pet me and don't stop!" She would gaze at me with her soulful little eyes and I just knew that she loved me with all of her heart.

She was so social that when we had parties or friends over she was so happy and so well-behaved. The only time she misbehaved was right when someone new would walk in the door, because she would get so excited that she wanted to jump up on them. She would wear her little red football jersey when people would come over to watch games at our house. Her jersey says "Number One Dog."

She wore a devil costume at Halloween which was hilarious because she was such the angel, and plus it looked so funny on her. It had a little cape and little devil horns. I think we have some pictures that need to be developed of her in her costume somewhere, but I can't find the roll. She also had a red sweater to wear at Christmas. Last year she got some new toys and treats in her stocking because she was such a good girl!

Her favorite toy was a squeaky fish. It was the size of a pretty big fish and it looked so funny when she carried it around in her mouth. She also liked fishing for real, and would go out in the canoe with her Daddy.

Allie never had much of an appetite, and I always had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something might not be quite right. She had been to the vet recently and I'd asked her about all of Allie's little idiosyncracies, like sneezing and frequent hiccups, but the vet had no reason to be concerned. She had the thinnest little body but she looked much bigger than she was because she was so fluffy! She was one of the softest dogs I have ever felt. I always thought her deep chest was so beautiful, especially when she was standing stretched forward to listen to some noise she had heard. But I guess her deep chest could have been one reason why she experienced the intestinal torsion that killed her.

But God made her with all of her flaws, and those "flaws" were what made her beautiful to me. So I guess she was meant to have a wonderful yet very short life of two years. Those two years were the happiest in my life because she brought me so much joy every day. I will never forget what a wonderful little doggie she was.

Thanks for reading.
Jenny

Dear Jenny,

Thinking of you on the 1 month anniversary of your precious Allie's passing. She sure was a sweet girl and was so loved. You'll never forget her and neither will we, as you've made us feel that we knew her through you wonderful tribute.

Take care,

Hugs,
Lynn

Dear Jenny,
Thanks for sharing Allie's story. I so love reading about her. Your descriptions of her are so specific I feel as though I knew Allie too. I mourn for her passing. She has such gentle eyes in that picture. I'm so glad she got to live her life with you to love her.
I'm sure the one month anniv. has been hard and I'm thinking of you. Mine is next week (tonight is 3 weeks). I think I'll do the same as you and finally share Jasmine's story.
Hope you're doing well and getting ready for your new baby!

Dear Jenny,
What a darling face that Alli has!! She's precious in the picture and it sure sounds like she had a precious personality. I am so sorry that she got so sick and left you. Your story about her is so touching.
I'm thinking of you and hoping that each day brings you less pain.
Take care,
Carol

Dear Jenny,

Thanks for sharing Allie's story. It's such wonderful tribute to her.

She was so very beautiful...inside and out.

Thinking of you on her 1 month anniversary.
Kathleen

Dear Jenny, I enjoyed reading as you shared Allie's life with us. What a wonderful girl she was and any flaws she might have had I am sure had an eye turned away from them because we hardly see any flaws when we love them so very much. I will come back in and read your post again. My Schnitzel and the new girl are wrestling under my feet and banging into my legs. I am thinking of your and your darling Allie.
Love, Ann

Dear Jenny,

I send you positive thoughts and prayers as you recover from the one month anniversary. That is always a rough one for everybody. I remember my one month anniversary and I felt SO sad and missed my Rachael SO much. Don't get me wrong, I still miss my sweet baby, but I have stopped counting the days and weeks. I only pause to remember on the monthly annivesaries now.

I really enjoyed reading more about Allie and her wonderful fun-filled life with you. Kathleen said it, Allie was so beautiful on the outside, as well as the inside. My heart just aches for your loss.

Cheri

A beautiful tribute to Allie, Jenny thank you for sharing Allie's story. I can tell you from experience that it was well over a month before I could even look at a pic of Moose. My first reaction to such pain has always been to put the things away that will remind me. Sometimes I completely get rid of things only to regret it later. I dont know what it is...only can speculate that the pain is more than I can handle at the moment and I am mad and sad it is over.
I just felt a huge tug on my heart when you discribed the smell being gone...I have Moose's bear he carried everwhere, it is in the box with his ashes, his smell is gone...I have to get rid of the bear because it is pretty slobbered up and will decay. When the time comes for me to scatter some of Mooses ashes I will bury that bear in the sand.
I can picture Allie in her outfits and such a part of your family..I am thinking of you. Pamela