Carly

Dear Carly,
It's been almost 3 weeks since I last saw you. You had your head down and closed your eyes. You knew your time had come. I stroked your head and ears, crying and trying to control myself because I knew they were about to come take you any minute. They couldn't see me cry. But surely they've dealt with crying people before as they said goodbye to their pets. Your Kuya Matthew was beside me, stroking my back, trying to comfort me as I said my last goodbyes to you. The week before I told you that it was okay to let go. That I'll be okay. That you don't have to worry about me. That you can rest because I knew you were holding on for me. You held on for so long but I knew the most loving thing to do was let you go. You've been there for me through 5th grade, middle school, high school, college, and my first career job. You were there when I did my homework into the wee hours of the evening and you were there every night as I went to sleep. Right beside me on your own doggie bed and then later on, downstairs because the stairs were hard on your joints and muscles. You were there when I cried, when I was sad, when I was happy, when I was angry, and when I was excited. You were there as we took in so many different pets like your friend Oreo the guinea pig, various aquarium fish, stray kittens, mourning doves, Roxy the class guinea pig, and your three kitty sisters who now no doubt wonder where you are as they roam the house. I really really wish I could've taken you on more adventures. I miss our beach days, our walks (although I hated walking in the heat), our car rides (I always worried about you jumping out), and being able to hand feed you. I regret not being the doggy mom I could have been for you because I was too busy with other things. I'm confident that you're happy wherever you are and no longer in pain. Happy and at peace eating all the doggy treats. You were a good dog, my little Carlita. We love you and miss you 💕

Love,
Your Family 💕