Help My Family and I Find Hope After Losing OurMookie

***PLEASE NOTE: Any additional funds will be directly donated to a Non for profit DOODLE RESCUE.

Hi! My name is Nico. I am 12 years old. I have a big sister (Lily), a 6 year old brother (Luca) and a 4 year old sister (Myla).

On Sunday, January 12th, my family and I tragically lost the light of our lives, our 1.5 year old Australian Labradoodle - Mookie boy AKA Mooks AKA Mooku.

Our family hasn’t been the same since our Mookie unexpectedly left us and was taken over the rainbow bridge. We lost our little Mooks way too early and our family’s hearts have been ripped apart. Our home is quiet and sad.

As a family of six, with four kids (including me),

it has been really hard understanding why this had to happen. It has been even harder explaining this tragedy to my younger siblings, who don’t understand and are constantly asking where their snuggle friend is.

This is why I came up with this plan of asking all of our friends and family for donations. My family could NEVER come close to replacing our Mookie Boy. We would never want to. We couldn’t even if we tried. There is too much sadness and heartbreak in my home right now. I think making preparations to bring home one of Mookie’s brothers or sisters would help all of our hearts begin to heal. Lily, Luca, Myla and me want to make a plan and get on a wait list.

Please help my siblings and I bring home one of Mookie’s brothers or sisters. We really are going to do everything we can to make this happen.

Mookie was(is) my best friend in the whole entire world. EVERY time he spotted me, he would jump up on me, put his paws on my shoulders and give me the biggest hug in the world….so big I could’ve…I would’ve sat there and hugged my Mookie for the rest of my life, letting him lick my face as he wrapped his paws around me and squeezed me tight. When I get a new labradoodle, I will teach him/her to do the same thing and I PROMISE to cherish every moment with this new friend.

I had a dream last night that Mookie was sitting on the couch, cuddled up right next to me. He could talk in my dream and he was telling me that everything was going to be ok. We snuggled like we used to until I fell asleep. It was the realest dream I ever had. It was the best dream I ever had. This dream made me believe that Mookie will always be with me. I think Mookie would want me to get another labradoodle, so I don’t feel so sad anymore.

Next, I want to talk about my Mother. We got Mookie when my mom was going through a really tough time. And when I tell you my mom fought to bring Mookie home, I mean she FOUGHT. She fought to convince my dad. She fought to find the money needed to bring our Mookie home. Mookie knew my mom was HIS mom too. He was ALWAYS by my mom’s side. He followed her wherever she went. If she was on the couch, he was on her lap with his head in her arms. Mookie was our best friend but he was my mom’s whole entire world. I will never ever forget my mom’s screams that Sunday afternoon when she found out our Mooks was gone forever. I know my mom just wants Mookie back but I think planning for a new puppy might help her heart smile again.

Finally, I want to talk about how my father was affected by Mookie’s tragedy. My dad pretends like he doesn’t want or need any dogs but when he is alone with them, I see him giving them all the love in the world. At first Mookie was a little scared of my dad but then they became BEST friends. Mookie always waited for my dad by the door and would jump up, wrapping his paws around him every single day. My dad was the one that pulled Mookie out of the water. That Sunday was the first time I ever saw my father cry. He loved Mookie too.

As you can see, our Mookie was so much more than a dog. I know he was meant to come home to our family. I don’t know why he was meant to leave.

My mom said that I have to use my sadness and grief to remember the happy times with our Mookie. She says that we have to work really hard at finding a way to chase away the scary memories and thoughts. She says we have to find a way to force our minds to think of love, light and hope again. My mom said special projects can help chase the sadness and scary memories away.

This is my project. This is MY way.