For my beloved Kona,

Remember when we picked you out? You were the cutest little gray fluff ball with blue eyes. We just went to look at you, but couldn't resist and took you home. We set you down for one last piddle and you tried to run away. That was the first and last time you ever tried to get away. I think you knew you'd landed where you were truly loved.

We did everything together. We took you to the beach and camping. You loved to be outdoors camping, but you missed your creature comforts at night. We made a soft bed for you in the truck, where you slept with your best freind, Emma. You'd whine at 7 or 8 o'clock to go to bed. And we'd listen and let you go to bed early, even though it meant we all had to get up early.

There was the time that you let us know there was a rat in the house. We had no idea, but you kept telling us until we listened. It was about that time that you realized your true passion...digging. You were so good. We made a garden for you to dig in, and that's the only place you would dig. All we had to do was point to the ground and say "rat" and away you'd go. I used you to break up the soil for planting. You were my rat-o-tiller. You even helped us plant a tree.

When you got sick with osteosarcoma and we had to take your front leg, we were so sad. We thought you'd never dig again, but you proved us wrong. You were such a trooper. No matter what you always managed to accept things and move on. We had that wonderful last beach trip where you dug and dug in the soft sand. You were quite a sight, and a sound. I'll never forget the many sounds of Kona. You had the loudest, shrillest shriek when you were excited. You had your woo-woo bark in the morning when you were happy and wanted to be fed. You had your "scream" when we were almost to Emma's house. And, you had your soft whine when you wanted us to do something.

I know this is sort of unorganized, but there's just too much about you that I'll miss.

Kona, your mommy will always love you.

What a lovely tribute to Kona, your love for her shines right through. I can just picture Kona digging away in the garden....I bet she loved helping you plant that tree.

Hearing of Kona's different sounds made me smile. It's funny how we learn to speak their language isn't it? I'm sure you miss her voice so much....I know I miss Kasha yelling at me for food in the morning. There was nothing else like that sound, it didn't matter where you were in the house or whether you were awake or asleep when Kasha was hungry she let you know good and loud!

Thank you for sharing your love for Kona with us,

Kristie

Hi Susan,

Your loss of Kona is very sad but I'm glad you have many happy memories of the great times you shared over the years. Your Kona was a beautiful dog and I know you miss her terribly. She was very lucky to find such a loving family and I know her family was thankful to have found such a wonderful friend.

It hurts so much when we lose them...our time with them is never long enough. Our lives are forever changed when we lose them, but our lives are also very enriched for having known them. We'll always have fond memories of our special friends.

I'm very sorry for your loss and I fully understand and share your pain. You are in the very early stage of the grieving process and I know things seem unbearable at the moment. Please know things do slowly begin to get better. Talking about your feelings with others here at LS will help you greatly with the healing process. Please continue to come here and talk as much as you need to.

Take care,
__Jim

Susan I really enjoyed reading your tribute for Kona. The love really shines through with each word you wrote. Oh the different sounds of their voice is so unforgettable and I think they may be etched in our minds forever. Thanks for sharing this with us. I still love the rat-o-tiller and can just picture her digging up a storm. Many blessing to you.
Ann