When I first brought Trickey home 13 years ago, you made me laugh when I mentioned you both were born in December. You said, "Ah! So you already know he's gonna be a handful!" You always called him 'Turkey' which still makes me giggle because I couldn't tell if you were being serious. I remember replaying videos of him running around my apartment for you and how you thought it was so cool he could still run so fast on 3 legs - "He's a roadster!!!" In our early days, I learned he could tell when I was experiencing a heavy emotion when God called you home. He was waiting by the door for me ready to help lift me back up to the spirits you'd want me to be in. He's been the greatest companion I'll ever know in this lifetime and now he's gone home to be with you. We've had an extraordinary adventure together which he'll tell you all about. (Don't believe him if he tries to tell you I'M the handful, okay?;)

I haven't hurt like this since you departed. Someone put it beautifully by saying "he's the personification of [my] entire adult life" so I guess it makes sense to feel like it's the close of an era. When he passed away, I felt the warmth of those hugs only my Grandpa could give fill the room for a moment and I've thought about it all week long. I find peace in thinking you came to get him and am so happy for him now that he gets to live with the Grandpaw he's only ever heard about. You were right, he is a handful - a handful of unconditional love and unwavering devotion. He loved licking my ears, snuggling under big blankets, and playing hide and seek with me. He doesn't care much for seafood or having his paws tickled but loves a good belly scratching and a game of fetch. He'll also be interested in hearing your inner most thoughts and what books you're reading. If you plan on writing something down, have some backup pens - he'll take it, run, and hide it. I know you'll take care of him, especially for your Scooter, and I'm grateful. I'll see you both again one day and am bringing the pizza. Give him a scoop on the snoot for me... He'll know what it means. <3 I love you.