Message from Mom |  Snoopy's Photo Tribute

		In Loving Memory Snoopy (1989-2002)
"If you never loved then you never adopted a shelter pet!" "If you have left your pet behind in life's travels, you will always travel alone" "If you have a pet then you have a soulmate, don't long any further" -- Jill Boardman		Summer of 1989 It was a beautiful summer day when you came into my life.... it was by chance that we met. I didn't go to the shelter to adopt, just to visit as I usually did on a Saturday afternoon. I drove to Long Island and stopped at North Shore Animal League to be close to what I love the most.... dogs. I did this to spend time with those who were left behind by families who didn't know how to love and honor their comittments to their pets I would walk and talk with the homeless, those convicted behind bars that had no crimes... Unfairly punished by thoughtless people who took away their dignity and their spirit. It helped them see that not all humans were heartless and it helped me gain my humanity There you were in the arms of a child whose mother said to him you could not have that puppy. I heard this and can still remember how sad that was that she would not let her child have the joy of adopting a dog. The little boy saw me and handed you to me. He asked me if I wanted to hold you. I said sure. I remember others were looking on wondering if I was going to take you home. You were so small and cute and I knew if I put you back into your kennel, someone else would have taken you home. I hesitated returning you knowing I was not there to adopt, knowing that I could not have a dog in my parents house since we lived in an apartment that did not allow dogs, yet I could not put you back. You would have got a home but I could hear you say 'be my mother'. I remember telling my friends this and they thought I was nuts. You always spoke to me with a silent voice and I always knew what you wanted. You fell asleep in my hands, safe and secure. I knew I couldn't have you but I adopted you anyway. I knew I would find a way to keep you no matter what I had to do and was not worried about our future. I was worried that we would not share our lives together if I put you back so I didn't. That night I brought you to a friends' house which did not go over well with his landlord. I remember her knocking at the door yelling her head off. She was carrying a broom and I stood up and grabbed something to throw at her. I don't remember what but I do remember telling her if she even dared touch one hair on your head with that broom she would spend the night in the hospital. She was old and mean and I was your protector! I brought you to my parents house who said I couldn't keep you. They let you stay until I found a home for you. You didn't get me in trouble there so we had time to find a place. You cried all night for me to hold you and when I picked you up and held you in my arms you went to sleep like a baby. You even snored in my ear. The next night you cried again until I put you in my bed next to my heart. You found your special place and from that day on would not sleep anywhere but near my heart. It didn't take long for us to bond. 1 week later we moved out of my parents house into an attic apartment in Queens. It was the house of an old man who loved animals. The apartment was one of those illegal dwellings and was hot in the summer and cold in the winter. You never complained. I bought an air conditioner and heater for you and you were always happy Through the years....... You hated dog food. We tried every brand. I finally gave into your whim and cooked steak, chicken and blue fish for you. You loved fish. You loved human food so for 8 years that is what you got. You finally got fussy on me and decided that you didn't like your human food so we tried other things like lamb. You even had me out of bed Sunday morning to make cream of wheat for you. You got the best I had to give. You vacationed in Vermont, Maine, Virginia, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Montana, South Dakota etc. You always traveled well. I'd pack your little suitcase and we would drive so you would not have to fly or miss out. Everything I have seen you have seen. I have an entire life time of memories with you and if I could have died for you today I would have gladly done so. You have been my heart and will always be my best friend. I know that you may have felt like the boys got your time with me but the truth is you were my first and my heart. I was in college at that time and while everyone went to parties and stayed out late I NEVER did. I would come rushing home to you so you would not be alone. Do you remember how I would run up those stairs because I could not wait to see you? You would run to the door and jump up and down with joy. You always made me feel special no matter what. When I was sick it was you who layed with me, when I was sad you used to kiss away my tears. When I was happy you were happy. You never once asked anything for yourself, just my love which was so easy to give you When I finished college we moved to Chicago. I felt you needed a backyard so I bought a house. I never grew up in a house but you did. I remember how lonely you seemed now that you were alone while I was at work. We went to the shelter to find you a brother. We adopted Murphy, a terrier mix also. You were so much smaller than he was and yet you used to beat him up. When I'd come home he'd come running to me with bloody ears. I decided to get you another playmate once Murphy was old enough. Do you remember Jesse? He was an American Eskimo. You adored him. I remember you training him and teaching him. Unlike Murphy who you would just pick on. Jesse left us early which left a hole in your heart. I remember the grief on your face. We adopted Kaiser who was very sick and got all the attention like any sick child would. I know you resented that. You tried to make friends with him but he was too big for your petite size that he would step on you. He never meant to. You would yell at him and he would run from you. Once again your spunk shined. I remember when we got the 3 cats, they thought you were their mom and followed you everywhere. You played with them like you were their friend and they took you in. That cold winter when Einstein showed up was the winter when you started to get sick. You never really got a chance to befriend him. You went to the bridge 10/2/2002 I am lost without you my beloved Snoopy. You went to the bridge today because I could not stop nature's cruelty. I could not heal you or protect you and your time drew near. It was not what I wanted to do but what you needed me to do. You stopped eating, couldn't walk and was so sick from your seizures that your little body was trembling. I lost my best friend, my first love and my heart today. If I could have given you my life I would have without hesitation. To have spent my last 13 years with you has given me everything out of life I could ever want. To have our memories, laughter and tears will fill my empty heart with thoughts of you. You are free of hurt now and I am not afraid to die because you will be there waiting for me. You were so very loved and brought meaning into my existance. I found my purpose in life thanks to your love. You will NEVER be forgotten my beloved. Please wait for me and I will return to you as you know I always did.... Your mom