Good-Bye & God Speed Hamlet

Dear Hamlet,

As I write this you are quietly resting nearby.  In just a couple of hours I'll hold you for one last time and say good-bye.  You're having problems standing, you've had no appetite the last few days and are drinking very little water...You and I both know it's time for you to leave us.   

~Hamlet, the first day I met him~

How well I remember the day you came into our lives 19 short months ago.  It seems like only yesterday, in some ways, I guess it was.  I remember being so firm in my decision to no longer foster for the rescue.  But then I got a call from a new volunteer asking me if I could pick up a dog named Hamlet who had been left in the garage of a house that had been foreclosed on.  I agreed because I was going to be in that direction that day, and where you needed to go was on my way home; I would hardly be going out of my way.  Needless to say, when I saw you, so ill and unable to stand, I knew I couldn't turn my back on you.  I called the foster home coordinator and asked if I could foster you.  The rest shall we say is history.  

You've enjoyed your health for the most part.  But in the shadows and always on our minds was the tumor on your shoulder.  You've had two major surgeries to remove it, and both times you've fully recovered.  I have marveled and given thanks so many times for that as well as your spark and zest for life.   Hamlet, I know that you've been happy here.  Its shown as your personality has blossomed.  My heart would literally leap each time you would run past me on our walks to get back to the house first, or prance around when I came home each day.  I loved how you would come to me quietly wagging your tail and bury your head in my lap for me to scratch your head.  We taught some 'important things' like how to beg and I never minded sharing a bite of whatever it was I was eating.  My attempts to try and get you to bark never worked--A small 'woof' was all I could ever get, but that spoke volumes.  

Hamlet you will be greatly missed!  You've shown over and over again what a quiet, kind, gentle soul you are.  I will never be the same, both for bearing your loss, and for the joy you've given us and others that I've told about you.  It has been a privilege to have such a noble dog like you as part of our lives.  God speed my precious, precious Hamlet.  We've lit our candle to help you find your way to the bridge where you'll meet and join our other Goldens, Tod, Ben, Cougar, Tucker, Scout, Tosh, Logan, Kasey, Cubby--Cowboy, Maguire and Tanner are there too.  Please give them our message and know that we'll see you all again one day.