Chewie's Thank You Fund

 Note: All funds raised will be donated to Chewie's rescue, a volunteer organization called Snookies Society that works in rehoming dogs with behavioral patterns that prevent them from being easily adopted.
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To my dearest, most darling Chewie, my better (and grumpier) half,

Today would have marked the ten-year anniversary of the day I brought you home. We had already met once, a few weeks before. You were adorably confusing, sending mixed signals, with your excited little tail wagging so hard that you looked like a furry 20-inch caterpillar wriggling across your foster parent's floor, and yet you growled the entire time, lips raised, fangs exposed. You did not smell nice. I took you home anyway. I even argued with the foster parent to push for an earlier pickup date because I couldn't wait to take you home. I did not know it then, but that was the beginning of some of the most meaningful years of my life, and you were there, experiencing all of it by my side.

I will never forget how after you got settled into our home, your sass came out in full force.  You really knew how to stand up for yourself and make your displeasure known, didn't you? We figured it out though, yay us! We figured out how to negotiate, you eventually realized I wasn't going to hurt you, and I eventually realized growling was how you communicated and you were mostly just a toothless little tiger. Yes, grooming was a dealbreaker, we never really figured that one out, but we did try our best.  You insisted on living life on your own terms, so ferociously independent that sometimes I thought you were a cat in a dog's body. You brought so much joy to my life, my little Chewcifer, and I will never forget you. You were so special and perfect in every way, growls and all.

Thank you for being there every day through thick and thin, excitedly greeting me at the door when I came home, be it from a full day of work or simply taking out the garbage, for lazily napping for hours with me in my arms, for helping me with my daily step count, and for all of those other things that make being a dog parent awesome. Thank you for making it your life's calling to never let me be alone, whether it was eating, doing yoga, or using the bathroom. Thank you for being my wake-me-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night thunder buddy (I will never understand why lying on top of my head was the safest spot, but you do you), and for agreeing with me that mornings are only good for snuggles (you were so much like me in the mornings, Mr. Grumpy Pants). Thank you for being the best co-pilot ever, keeping me company on all those road trips we took. Thank you for staying just outside of the kitchen when I was cooking. I know that was really hard for you because I dropped so many yummy morsels on the floor. That one was hard for me too, trust me. I hope you understand now that that was the only way I could keep your tail and paws safe from being stepped on in that tiny kitchen. I am also so grateful that your only interest in my shoes was using them as pillows while you napped. Thank you for being patient with me, and for forgiving me when I was not patient with you. Wait, did I remember to thank you for never chewing on my shoes?

I do not have words to describe how grateful I am that you were in my life, and to the rescue organization that found you and brought us together. You have been gone for a few months now, and it's still hard, my little Grumblestiltskin. I miss you terribly. I miss seeing your big round soulful eyes gazing at me from one of your many beds, your little pink tongue sticking out the side of your mouth, your little snores, your dog-purrs, your growly lectures (oh the lectures!). I even miss your trademark stench. It's been months, but home still feels so very empty without you. The only blessing is that you are no longer in any pain. Thank you for being such a huge part of my life this past decade. Thank you for being you.

Later, little guy. I love you.

Mommy