I don't know why or how God makes these decisions. I only know how painful they can be. I know there are good reasons for them all, so I am gratefull for the time we were allowed to share. Now he has called Smokey home, and I must move on without him, my heart fills with precious memories of our mutual love.

I remember the day we got him. He was bigger than the other puppies, and maybe not as pretty. He was also louder than the others. If you've ever had a Pekenese, you'll know what that means; if not, you could never understand. I was wearing a jacket with drawstrings, and he wouldn't stop playing with them. We fell in love that day, although he may have had second thoughts on the drive home. He hated riding in the car. During his last months, he lost his eyesight, and I was proud to act as his "Seeing Eye People" when we walked.

Perhaps, God, I haven't been as good a person as You would have liked, and I've never asked for anything for myself, but please take good care of my little friend. He will love you completely, as he always did me. All he asks is a walk each day, a slice of roast-beef each night, a few chicken fingers each Friday night, and lots of love in return. He needs lots of love. Oh yes, he loves to be told what a good boy he is when he's good, and he feels terrible when you call him a bad boy, when he's not so good. You must meet thousands of dogs each day, but this one is really special.