Mikkey, our beloved English Cocker Spaniel, died Tuesday night, June 12th.

We adopted Mikkey on November 9, 2002, even though I hadn't meant to adopt a dog quite yet. Once I saw Mikkey's picture and read his story, we applied right away. His foster mom Charlene brought him over to meet us on a Thursday night and my first glimpse of Mikkey was of him scampering at the end of his leash, pulling Charlene along the sidewalk. Although he didn't know where he was going (darting past the house) he was excited about it. We met and he flopped over for a tummy rub. He came home with us that Saturday and quickly settled in - naps on the sofa (he had his own pillow and blanket), chasing golf balls with my husband, walks with Mom - though dinnertime was always cause for much conversation. That "ruf" accompanied by the lifting of the two front paws that English Cockers do. He also happily paraded around, in circles, with a prize - usually a golf ball although he had a brief flirtation with a tiger's tail stuffed animal - when we came home or when the moment seized him. He could be a bit grumpy and growly at times, but who isn't?

Mikkey needed eye surgery, and he came through that like a champ. The collar was like a scoop, though, leaves and snow and whatnot but he didn't seem to mind the debris as I did. Nor did he mind crashing into things with it.  The surgery partially repaired his vision in one eye.  Nonetheless, he continued to scamper along at full speed, sometimes forgetting where immovable objects were but that was our job to steer him... He was always patient with his eye medications. Less so with ear cleanings. He took his various health conditions in stride and was amazingly resilient. He even enjoyed going to the vet (Parkway), where everyone knew him and treated him like a rock-star, always calling to him by name and giving him extra attention, treats, and care, for which I will always be grateful.

Mikkey was, as the HART write-up said, "a wiggly bundle of love." All of his hair grew back, except for one spot on the end of his tail. His coat was incredibly soft and as it grew out, he resembled a giant poof. The gray stripe on his head was clearest after he had a haircut. That, plus his gray ears, lent him such a distinguished air.

Mikkey loved to lie at the top of the steps and watch the shadows flicker past; he worshipped at the cabinet where the yummies and his food were kept. He wasn't much on gardening (he dug holes and ate dirt) but he loved to ride in the car and stick his nose out the window. Mostly he stuck close to me and kept me company, particularly as he got older. Often he would come to the top of the steps and hang his head around the corner to determine if I was coming up or if he, really, should come down. He made incredible nests on the bed and sofa, and then would kick all the pillows off after that effort. He loved going out for walks. He loved it when it snowed - shuffling along with his nose under the snow or rolling in it or just having fun. He didn't mind slipping on the ice and, ever the gentleman, would stop and wait for me so I wouldn't fall when we had to venture out in those conditions. Because he couldn't see much, I talked to him all the time reminding him where things were and where to go and what we were doing. Without him, it is so quiet. His favorite comfortable spots on the bed and sofa, cooler places in the den and kitchen, and look-out on the stair landing are empty. His collection of balls are no longer scattered and my heart is heavy. We adopted him because I thought he needed us. It wasn't long before I realized how much I needed my best boy. Thank you very much for bringing us together.

Sincerely,
Virginia

It is with great pain that I send this e-mail as we have lost our beloved Charlotte (Cha Cha).  We adopted Charlotte on November of 1998, her eyes were an instant connection with mine and my mother's soul.  I got married and Cha Cha stayed with my mother and made her life wonderful.  Full of love, laughs, companionship and the sweetest memories to any human being.

Cha Cha developed a tumor in her belly that grew rapidly taking too much space and damaging her other organs.  On July 10, 2007 her Veterinarian suggested we let her go as it would be too painful to operate and it would not make her life easier.  At 5am Cha Cha passed on to a better life where she returned to her puppy days playing endlessly with her favorite turtle in our back yard for all the days to come.  Leaving behind her hubby Sky who has been with us since 1996 and our Family who loved her deeply - mom Lillian and siblings Norman, Thomas and myself, Mitzy.

We will miss her terribly but know that she is a better place and some day she will look over that rainbow and we will all meet again.  Thank you H.A.R.T. for bringing Charlotte to us, as she gave us days that we will never forget.