Tigger was my best friend for over 15 years, loyal, loving, and playful. This little guy saw me through raising two daughters, a divorce, a cross country move from Boston to Boulder, and a final move to Louisville when I met the man I will marry in April.
Tigger lived a life of adventure, some of which I could have lived without, like the time he ate an entire dark chocolate bar, or ate pot he found in the park near my home, and when he had back surgery after which I helped him relearn how to walk again. He once killed a baby bunny when he was a puppy, to the absolute horror of my daughters, because he thought it was a squeaky toy.
Before his back surgery, he hiked many of New Hampshire’s 4000 footers with me and he loved to play in freshly fallen snow. He loved my fiance, Rob, who on my first business trip fed him twice his food after looking at the scoop and thinking, “this can’t be all he gets!”
In Tigger’s later years, his rear legs lost strength and he often walked (and ran) sideways. He was determined to remain forever a puppy until his final months and despite his difficulty in movement and heart disease, would run to find a toy or food that was dropped on the floor. His love of food never left him.
He was always happiest when I was around and slept under my feet at my desk and beside me at night and remembering that look of joy on his face when he saw I was home as well as distress when I would leave remind me that just as he was my joy, I was his. I miss him so.
Tigger knew when I was sad and he was always the greatest comfort to me. Just his presence on my lap or sleeping next to me reminded me I was loved and not alone. I will never fill the void left by his presence and feel so blessed that I was the recipient of his unconditional love. His beautiful heart will forever remain in mine. I so hope he is running free and knows how much he taught me about life, and especially, love.
Tigger died in my arms and it was the most devastating moment of my life, but the care of Home to Heaven was compassionate and caring. I am so grateful my little man could die at home with my hand on his heart.
Thank you, Tigger, for being the best friend I’ve ever had. I love you.