In Memory of Sparky
12/21/92 – 8/26/05

by Heidi Sutton

“Sparkle in my Eye” was Sparky’s official name on paper. He was truly
the sparkle in my eye for almost 13 years. I got Sparky back
in February of 1993 when he was just a pup. I remember how he whimpered
as we drove off and away from his mother. I promised him from that
day on that I would love him and always be there for him and that
there was no reason to be sad.

We embarked on our new life together and it was the best!
Sparky was a wonderful, loving companion for so many years! No
matter how bad my day, he was always there to provide me plenty
of lovin’ and kisses to make all the bad things seem like nothing
at all.

Sparky was with me through thick and thin. We were attached at the
hip for most of his life. He was a shoulder to cry on when I
lost my father, he was there the day my husband asked me to marry him on a
hike in North Georgia. He moved to Chicago and back with us and
never complained a bit…. Even when I dressed him in a sweater and
booties to try and keep him warm in the snow on our walks! :o)
We celebrated Christmas each year with pictures with Santa and gifts
for him to open, which he so loved to do. Sparky was there when my son was
born and even though he didn’t really like him he really tried to make
the best of things. He was here to comfort me through this last
year after my husband was diagnosed with cancer and was being treated
out of state. I can’t tell you how many nights I sat on the floor hugging
him and getting kisses wondering when life would get back to normal.
He was there through it all….. My best friend always there
to provide unconditional love the way only a dog can.

Sparky suddenly took a turn for the worse about a month ago and
stopped eating. His hips had gotten so bad that he could not get
up off the floor without me supporting him at his hind
quarters (even with medication). He just lay on the floor with
those sweet, deep eyes looking up at me. Even with his pain,
he was still ready to give me a kiss and nuzzle up to me as I
laid on the floor with him those last days before he
crossed the rainbow bridge.

On Friday, August 26th my husband and I loaded Sparky in the
car and took him to the park he so loved for a last romp.
Sadly, he could only lie under a tree, but we all laid there
together and let him smell the sweet grass that he so loved.
We hugged and kissed him and whispered sweet nothings in
his ears until the time came for him to cross over to a much
better place for him.

Two weeks have passed and I still cry every day because I keep
looking for his sweet little face in the house or in the yard.
I also have my 2 yr old son who keeps looking for him and calling
“Sparkle-mania” which was one of his nicknames. Then when there is no response
my son will say “Sparky in heaven” as I have been telling him now for two
weeks. It’s the saddest, sweetest thing you have ever heard. But I have to
take comfort in the fact that Sparky is in heaven and is at peace now.
I know I will see him again some day and will be able to kiss
him and hug him once again. I hope that Sparky is looking down
on us from heaven and knows just how very much he was loved
and IS truly missed.




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