Ricky

Well today was a sad day.  My family's little dog Ricky died today.  He's been in my family for nearly 14 years.  He has been one great, sweet dog.  He was a teacup poodle and we had him since he was a small puppy.  Poor little guy had a collapsing trachea, an enlarged heart, cataracts, possibly a tumor and who knows what else.  My parents had taken him into the vet so many times to try to help with his horrible cough and everything else.  He was just so old and anything further that would've been done was not a guarantee that it would even help.  He also couldn't get groomed because he didn't have his rabies shots.  He couldn't get rabies shots because he was so unhealthy and had such a bad cough.  So my mom and I went to have him "put down."  Wow, what a sad experience that was.  My mom got really emotional and I didn't think that I would.  But as soon as I walked into the office I lost it.  This little dog of mine had been such a big part of my life.  I don't care if this sounds corny but he had really been there through very hard moments in my life.  He loved to be around me and got really excited whenever I would come around.  I really liked that.  It made me feel good.  Things changed a little as I left the house and had kids, but I always felt that he understood.  He was suffering so much and really had a hard time breathing and seeing.  I'm glad that he isn't suffering anymore.  I won't explain how the whole procedure went but my mom and I were right there when his little heart stopped beating.  The vet felt really bad and let us have as much time as we needed to say goodbye.  We just kept crying and petting him and talking to him.  We said "Say hi to Eric for us."  I don't know all the doctrine behind animals in the spirit world or anything but I know that they will for sure be with us.  He was such a good companion and friend and there is no way that we would never see him again.  Explaining all of this to Noelle was quite the task.  She seemed to really understand but had lots of questions.  Here are some things that she has said about it:

(in a sad voice with her little lip out)  "But when Ricky dies damin and pa will buy a new dog and name him Ricky and he will be Lucy's friend."  (lucy is my parent's other dog)

"If Ricky dies, then Lucy will bite me."

"Ricky dies and then I die and we will be friends in heaven.  I don't want to die mommy." (this one brought me to tears)

"Ricky will have friends in heaven mommy."

Saying her last goodbyes to Ricky "Goodbye Ricky.  See you later in heaven."

Our conversation today, right before I left:
Noelle: "Who is going to take care of him in heaven?"
Me:  "Big Eric." (meaning my little brother Eric)
Noelle: (while smiling) "Heavenly Father and Jesus will take care of him too."

Noelle loved her little Ricky.  Even though he was meaner to her than Lucy was,  she always liked Ricky the most.  She even named her favorite dog that she sleeps with "Ricky."  I think next time we go over to my parent's house she'll actually realize that he is gone and I don't know how she will react.  Ricky kind of put the idea in her head of getting a dog.  She loves dogs and I'm pretty sure that it all started with our little buddy Ricky.  See you later in heaven Ricky.  We love you.

Noelle and Ricky when she was a lot younger

Noelle and Ricky just a few days ago