Gretchen the German Shepherd Dog

March 1994 to 23rd September 2003

from Marie Bowman 

Gretchen died from cancer.  I miss her so much I feel like I can't stand it.  I got her when she was seven weeks old, a fat ball of fur.  She was with me through every bad time in my life over the past 91/2 years; standing quietly by, licking my hand or licking away my tears.  She would have died for me.  I think she knew I would have done anything I could to make her well, but I just didn't have the power.  I am thankful to God that she passed away peacefully, naturally, without my having to make that awful decision: something I told God I didn't think I could do.
I love you Gretch, you will always be with me.  When I see you in my mind, I see you with your ball in your mouth, tail wagging and giving me that sideways mischeivous look as if you're saying, "come get it, if you can!"  Oh, how I wish you were here to lick away my tears one more time.
Until we meet again, I love you, I miss you, and I hope you know, God couldn't have given me a greater gift than you.  Farewell, old friend.