Herbie was rescued by my mother and her friend mike in 1995, he was about a year old, I am told that they were going to get a pommerainian when they brought Herbert, aka Herbie in. My mom instantly said she wanted him, she waited about 3 hours for him to be looked over by a vet and groomed. They brought him home. I don't remember much of Herbie as a young dog under the age of 4, one memory is of me and my sister at mike's house and we were playing "tag" with him. Most of the memories are at my grandmothers house, They started off just babysitting him for Mike when he went on Buisiness trips, and when my mom couldn't. Eventually he gave Herbie to my grandparents, because my mom couldn't keep him at that time.

When I was younger my sister Katie and I would dress him up in all of these riduculous clothes, one year we got these alien antenas with stars on them for the fourth of july and put them on his head.I believe there is a picture of him somewhere of that. I also remember sneaking him bites of people food even though we were told not to so. I remember running through the house with his blue baby blanket in my hand with him chasing me close behind trying to get it. He was such a hyper little dog when he was younger. As we both grew older he grew to sleep more, and I grew to love other things.I wish I had only taken the time to spend it with him, if I had known I would be saying goodbye to him this year, three months ago I would have spent all of the time in the world with that dog.

There is one memory that still gets me, and I don't know how I will be able to sleep at my grandparents house without this when I visit. He would run between the rooms at night, litterally from one room to another, he would scratch at the guest bedroom door if I had shut it, I would turn on the light open the door and set him up on the bed, which he couldn't jump on anymore as he once did in his youthful days, just 2 weeks ago he did just as I have described here.He was a great dog, and a friendly dog, I don't believe any other dog could ever be as calm, yet playful as Herbie was, I do not believe any other dog could ever come close to Herbie.We had planned on getting my grandparents another Shih tzu puppy for christmas as a companion to Herbie, but now that has changed as it would be too painful for another dog to be in that house, and my rnadparents have made it clear they do not want another pet.

I went to my grandparents hosue yesterday, before his burial, and I wanted to see his dog bed or blanket, they weren't there where they once had been, they were bagged up and were being given to an animal shelter this week, I told my grandmother I wanted one thing, and that was his blanket, she quickly made it a point to tell me that he was to be buried with it, wrapped up in it.I then requested that I could have the only toy he played with even after the cancer had hit him. His ugly purple monkey toy. She agreed, and I believe I am getting the toy sometime this weekend. I plan to set it upon my computer with my other (small) stuffed animals(there are two right now) I only wish I had more time to say goodbye, and I knew he was being put down, yet all I did was pet his head and walk off, no words were escaped the night before he passed on to the heavens.I could have sworn last night, I could smell his coat, just as it was after he had been groomed, but It was a dream.I once read an article somewhere, about a little 4 year old boy who had lost his dog, he said that we are on earth to learn to love, and be kind, and that dogs and cats are on here for a short time because they are born knowing how to love, and be kind. Those words now have so much meaning, because he was right all animals are born knowing how to love.

-Tori

Dear Tori,

The story of how Herbie came into your life and of your time together is very touching. He sounds like such a good little friend.

Even though you didn't get to spend the amount of time with Herbie that you would have liked, I'm sure he never doubted the great love you had for him. And even though you didn't get to say anything to him the night before he died, I'm sure what passed between your heart and his was more meaningful than any words that could have been said.


What a profound statement! Thank you for sharing it.

I'm so sorry for your loss of Herbie.
You're in my thoughts.
Kathleen

Hi Tori,
Sounds like you had a special relationship with your angel Herbie. I am deeply sorry for what you are experiencing right now. But remember all the wonderful years of fun, love and happiness you shared together.

Herbie was your earthbound angel..................

I hope you receive the purple monkey soon as I know how special that toy means to you.

WIth Love,
Litebrez

Thanks you all so much, I can't wait to go make his grave pretty with flowers and such, This board really has been a help to me I am starting to come to terms that he is gone, and am no longer in Denile.