I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,
and you'll run on, around the bend,
gone from sight, but not from mind,
new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on, I'll find the strength,
life measures quality, not its length.
One long embrace before you leave,
share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,
but they be they, and they aren't you.
And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,
will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,
the fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.
And as you journey to your final rest,
take with you this...I loved you best.

© Jim Willis (used with permission)

 
  "My little Heidi is having a tough time. she has parked herself in Butchie's bed and she won't leave it except to go out. During the day Butchie had a little tan bed that he used to rest in and now Heidi won't leave it.

"I'm letting her stay there and letting her grieve just as she's letting me grieve.   I'm giving her space because that's what she needs right now.  Late last night Heidi left Butchie's bed for a few minutes and let me hold and cuddle her. I think it's exactly what we both needed. She let me hold and hug her last night and it was wonderful. Feeling her soft fur was healing. I think she's going to be okay.

"She's still in Butchie's bed sitting on his fluffy white waterproof pad. She misses him so much."

 

It's a tradition in our bulldog community to honor new bullies at the Bridge by having our bullies wear bandanas on the that Sunday.  Today, July 24, 2005, Butchie's friends celebrated his Bandana Day.  It might take a little while to load all of the pictures because he had so many friends, but it's worth the wait to see them pay tribute to this very special guy.


Instead of bandanas, Zoey and Raquel proudly
wore collars handmade by Butchie's mom.