Aiko

I had the wonderful pleasure of knowing and loving you for thirteen years…exactly thirteen years. You were four weeks and one day old when you joyfully crawled into my lap and fell asleep. You were thirteen years four weeks and 1 day old when I laid beside you on the floor and again, pet you until you went to sleep. Your last gift to me was three licks to my hand to assure me that everything was going to be okay. You are such a ray of sunshine to me. Even in your passing, you are and forever will be my sunshine. At nine weeks old we started learning the words to that song…and until you lost your sight and hearing, sang it with me almost daily….."You are my sunshine, my only sunshine; you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear how much I love you…please don't take my sunshine away." You know, it's been cloudy, rainy and snowy since you've been gone. Perhaps when I can think of you without crying the sunshine will once again shine for me.

You were such a joy…so expressive…so loving… and surprising to the vet…so protective of me. He commented that every other husky he had ever known was not so protective of their masters. We were a great team. I loved watching you grow. From an awkward puppy, to a graceful adult, and even a very old man, you were always the most beautiful dog in the world to me…everyone always commented on how beautiful you were. Even as we were taking our last walk into the vet's office and nice lady said to me, "what a beautiful dog".

I remember watching you run and play. I remember our singing, talking and dancing. I remember after my leg surgery how you gently jumped up on the bed and put you head on my leg...so gently…so softly…so lovingly because you knew I was hurt. I remember how happy you were every time you saw me and how every thing we did together was your favorite thing to do…just as long as we were together.

You gave me everything you could…..you did everything I asked of you. You taught me loyalty and the beauty of unconditional love. In the end you were blind and deaf, had arthritis and cancer but you also still had love. So now my friend, out of the same unconditional love that you taught me, go play…go run and see and hear and howl and sing.

I am so blessed to have you as part of my life….you will forever and always be my sunshine!!

I love you my dear friend. I miss you more with each passing day.

Belinda