This is a tribute to my sweet childhood dog, Pepsi, who passed away unexpectedly today after thirteen beautiful years with us.

Hug, play and love your pets whilst they're with you, because like me, you never know the last chance you'll get.

Rest easy over rainbow bridge, my beautiful girl. You'll always be in my heart.

Those Thirteen Years

You were the last one to run out of the pen.
The smallest, the shiest.
I knew I wanted to take you home immediately.
I made a good choice that day, thirteen years ago.

Everyone fell in love with you.
Your glistening eyes. Your fuzzy tail that wouldn't stop wagging.
We were meant to pick you up later, but we couldn't wait.
We brought you home in the December.
Thirteen years ago.

You had the personality that could make anybody smile.
You were so full of life.
I remember naming you Pepsi, with you on my knee in the old office of our old house.
Pepsi, because we had Max at the time.
Thirteen years ago.

I could kick the football down the garden all day for you, and you would always return it.
You loved tug of war.
You never stopped playing, all the way up until your final morning with us.
For all those thirteen years.

I remember when you fell into the pond, and I broke the decking to get you out.
You loved the beach, you loved the woods.
You were always well behaved.
Forgive me for all the times I've scolded you over the years.
For all those thirteen years.

You loved belly rubs, you loved sitting under our feet when we prepared dinner.
Forgive me for the times I nudged you out of the way.
You were the sweetest girl.
For all those thirteen years.

When we brought Indi home five years ago, you were so patient with her.
You let her play fight with you, even if you didn't feel like it.
You were precious and kind.
For all your thirteen years.

I'll miss the way you quirked one of your ears, and the way they felt like velvet.
I'll miss the way you snored at night, even if it sometimes kept me awake.
I'll miss your little chuffs of protest when you wanted to play in the evenings.
I'll miss you for thirteen years, and more.

Watching the life pass from your eyes today is a sight I'll never forget, with the vet telling us you're gone.
I'm sorry I didn't hug you before I left the house this morning.
I'm sorry I wasn't there for your final walk.
I'll regret it for thirteen years, and more.

We'll miss you. Indi will miss you.
The house already feels different, we almost filled up your food bowl tonight.
No more clatters of your big bear paws, no more of your favourite trick 'roll over'.
Because you're gone, after thirteen beautiful years of you have passed.

You were full of life until the very end, and I know you're still chasing the ball over rainbow bridge.
You were one of a kind, and I'm so sorry I took you for granted.
Thank you for the beautiful thirteen years. I promise I'll play fetch with you again one day, Peps.