IN LOVING MEMORY OF

December 20, 1987 - December 17, 2002
New York/ Lowell/ Tanglewood/ Boston

Your time to leave me came just before Christmas.  Maybe that was so timed so that every Christmas, you would always stay so very close to my heart, like my own personal Christmas angel. We both knew things weren't right those last few days,and we were blessed things changed so quickly that pre-Christmas morning so your pain would be short, but I wasn't ever, ever ready. None of us were.

I miss the feel of you at the foot of the bed, every night, your cute snoring and the sound of your rhythmic and peaceful breathing which then lulled me into peaceful sleep knowing you too were comfortable, loved, safe and peaceful.

I can't stop crying and miss you every moment ...when I wake up, when I come home, when I see other dogs romping in the freshly fallen snow, when I hear a song, when I drive up to see Uncle David and Auntie Marcia and Zachary's house and when I drive up to Uncle Steve and Auntie Annie's beach house which you loved and spent time with all of the kids (barking too much I might add, right Jay and Em? but I digress! Auntie Emily and newbaby Ethan forgave you for that barking last summer but I don't know if Nick and Summ did --- I'm joking! You were forgiven! They loved you lots!!). Memere and Pepere miss you so much, they cry and are so sad - Pepere spoiled you A LOT you must know and he directly contributed to your weight gain --- We are just kidding right Alex!. Our family and friends whom you loved have expressed deep sadness at your loss because we all lost a member of the family and they have been very thougtful to me. Everyone said t! hey will only try to remember you when you weren't so sick. They are all helping Mommy to get through my sadness.

You were my best friend for all these years, my wonderful companion -- you were funny, smart, affectionate, warm, and were the best kisser on the planet. I love and miss you more than I ever thought possible. I put together a book of pictures of you which helped me to remember the wonderful fun times we had in fifteen years since I brought you home with that wondering, excited look when you were just six weeks old. You didn't bark then --- things changed. I'm joking. Uncle Steve said you lived a very pampered and good life and everyone else agreed. When I brought you home then, I thought that fifteen years or so would be a long time and I would be ready, but it wasn't enough time, and I wasn't ready....

Uncle Steve and Auntie Annie sent a beautiful poem which I will share here for other friends who we don't know but who are also sad about losing their wonderful loving friends:

They will not go quietly, the dogs who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know their spirit still survives.

Old habits still make us think we hear a barking at the door.
Or step back when we drop a tasty morsel on the floor.

Our feet still go around the place where the food dish used to be,
and, sometimes, coming home at night, we miss them terribly.

And although time may bring new friends and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts belongs to them...
and always will.

Alex, you will always, always have that one place in my heart and I love and miss you more than you could ever know. You are out of pain now my little friend, my angel, you are my new star when I look up into the sky each night.

A million kisses to you on your little black nose and on your beautiful white head in front of your right ear and your loving black eyes, my furface boo-boo. I send these affectionate thoughts to hold you near until I can kiss and see you again. 

I miss you and your smile and your cocked little head and you will always be by my side.
Thank you for your love, friendship, warmth and strength ... 
I will love you always...everyone in the family loves you always .. til we meet again at Heavens Gate ...

Alex, you are now with Buddy, Azucia, Rusty, Snowball and Muffin.
Have a great time! You have the fabulous company of very wonderful friends.
Have fun and be well until we see you .... 

All my love,
Mommy and your little shark toy who sleeps by your peaceful side ....