Tribute
Our Sunni Girl
August 19,1988-January 21,2004
You came into our lives a golden ball of fur… driving home with you sitting on my lap, kissing my face as we drove across the Red River bridge on a chilly October North Dakota afternoon…you never liked to sleep alone, so you slept by our sides. Night after night you were there… to love us, watch over & protect us. Playing on the kitchen floor with balls & toys..chomping on bones and sometimes a little more, perhaps a sneaker or shoe. The boys you loved as if they were your own kind.. any cries from a crib.. you would go to check.. they dubbed you Nona!
Patient, proud & kind, but with a mischief streak a mile wide.. a chewed couch here.. chicken off the counter there.. running through the pastures after the jackrabbits… or the beaches after the seagulls… you believed in good fun! You welcomed the ones we added such as Gretchen, Candy, Max, Bailey & your buddy Tigger the cat, Our Seeing Eye friend, Terry the Shepard, who you helped train. Then came Chance & Misty, our Oklahoma rescues, who stayed a short time until we found them the right homes… your feline friends, Violet, Bonnie, Jasmine, Clyde & Junior, who never left your side during your passing time. You always lived up to & passed on our family motto to any new pet addition .. “family, friends & laughter are always welcome in our home”.
But then came the day.. one that we didn’t want to face… after 15 years of your unconditional love & grace…it was now our turn to the right thing by you. To the vet we went & ran the tests.. comfort & rest were the orders & home we went again…thankfully. We took a long ride before going home..eating Combos, a snack of pretzels and cheese reflecting on other memories.
But then came the morning, …3 days later when the meds were making you too sick.. you looked at me & I at you.. and then came the answer of what I had to do.
It was mutual.. for we both knew it was time to say goodbye. I spread the blanket on the kitchen floor one last time..only this time it wasn’t for play.. I laid with you until it was time to go… talking to and loving you with Junior right there too.
Dad came home with Brandon in tow, for the other boys.. it was too painful to go. Dr. Sally let us have our time & I love you’s. I held your head up high & kissed you goodbye, looking you in the eyes…as your spirit crossed this time the Rainbow Bridge… for you were proud & graceful & that was the only way I was going to let you go ..only now it was a bridge that you would cross over alone… this time to your eternal home…..leaving us behind to miss & love you… always. No more sickness or old age to keep you down.. up & at them, in true golden fashion… we are sure you are running around… chasing birds and bunnies..only now....with very special angel wings.
