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It has taken a while because it was too painful, but we are starting to see our friends and neighbors that we know from walks and the park and informed them of our loss.
The reaction is all the same. Abbey was loved by all who knew her.
"It happened all too quickly… That is how it felt that day. That is how it still feels today. When we reflect back to the past weeks and
months, though, we see just how brave and strong-willed Abbey really was. She never let anyone know just how much she hurt. She always had her happy-ears and smile on when she was around people. She won us over and then continued to steal our hearts with her never-ending supply of love and stubbornness. Abbey was more than just a dog, she was a member of our family. It meant so much to her, and to us, that everyone was there to say a last farewell. We want to say Thank You for coming over on such short notice. She was Our Girl and she will be missed. It was wonderful to see her light up when everybody gathered around and patted her and gave her treats. She knew how much everyone loved her. She was such a big part of our lives and to all who knew her.
We miss her so much! Our daily routine is so different now – yet is so full of memories of Abbey from what she did when she woke up, to where she laid when she was resting, to who or what she would bark at out the front window or backyard, or when she decided it was time to go to bed. She absolutely loved going for walks, running on the beach, playing with the water hose, chasing the light from a flashlight, going to visit people, orbiting in huge circles at the park and tight circles on the sofa, sniffing everything everywhere, barking at kitty-cats and ‘possums... But most of all she loved being hugged, patted, belly-rubbed, and just plain made over. It’s really hard to look at the front window and not see her in her usual spot, staring out at the world going by – her nose twitching as it draws in every scent that floats by. We will miss her huge happy-ears and circle-tail wag, greeting us every day when we came home, as if we just made her whole day by coming through that door.
Abbey had such a presence! Like the ways she communicated with us, or her paw-steps as she walked on the floors, her big long heavy sighs when she wasn’t getting her way, and the soothing sounds she made when she dreamt and snored at night.
Abbey was always a puppy at heart, and although it feels that she left us too soon, we have to remember that she lead her life to the fullest, always pushing to play that one last minute of water hose, one more game of soccer ball keep-away, one more big Rrrruff! at the flashlight. She ran and ran and swam and swam at the beach, played with other dogs, and always put on the works when it came to winning a treat. She pushed her body hard, but had the best time doing the things she loved. She was our “nut-nut”, and that is what we all loved about her.Abbey was peaceful and happy at the end. We were at her side, telling her how much we love her, soothing her, softly petting her to her final sleep. She was in the backyard in the shade of the palm trees where she loved to lay as a puppy. It was there she took her leave of this world and went on to a place where now she can run and play forever with no pain... always and forever until we meet again."
Time passes, but the ache in our hearts and tears have not. We can barely speak of her without the lump-in-the-throat and flowing tears overtaking the conversation. I still remember your kindness and reassurance, and gentleness with Abbey and us. I speak of you to many people. You are a treasure.
Warmest regards,
Ken and Helen Kouchi
Huntington Beach
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