My best four-pawed friend crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on May 12, 2024. I’m still grieving and missing him a lot. Bob was 17 years old and a cockapoo. He came to live with us when I was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Bob helped me get off the couch when I was battling the side effects of chemotherapy. He was so loyal to us, and everyone in our neighborhood wanted to adopt him. Cute beyond words, Bob loved us and we loved him back.
Bob always met us at the door when we returned. Wagging his tail, he was so happy to see us. How do you say “goodbye” to a phenomenal friend who filled our lives with happiness and joy? We can’t, so instead, we remember all the memories and look at his photos to remind us that he’s still with us. His ashes are currently sitting in a container on our dining room table. I greet him everyday. We’ll bury his ashes soon.
This past year, Bob started slowing down. He no longer ran as far or as much, but he did like to sniff the scents in the air. Bob’s expressions were so dog-gone cute. He was good at telling us when he was hungry or had to go out to pee. He rarely barked, except when a German shepherd would walk by. Then he would howl until we removed him from the dog or got him away from the window. Bob was so protective of us and our house. I still believe he stares out the window to make sure we’re safe.
We loved him so deeply. When it was time for him to walk across the Rainbow Bridge, we sat in our living room where the vet and vet-tech gave him a sedative. Earlier that day, Bob had a major seizure, so we knew it was time to let him go. The vet told us that he probably had brain tumors, something we didn’t know. When the vet gave him the final injection, Bob slipped off this world and into the world where there is no pain, lots of food to eat, nap times, and tons of trees.
Please never underestimate the love we have for our pets. They are our furry children who we take care of and protect. Our grief mirrors the grief that we have for lost human loved ones.
Goodbye my precious little buddy!
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Alexis Acker-Halbur is an award-winning author and medical miracle. Child abuse made her seriously ill and put her in harm’s way many times. She survives and shares her experiences and tools with women and men who have been traumatized.
