Penny Millard

Oh Penny, aka Butters, Baby Girl, Tumson, Mogre, Babest, Hunners, Buskin etc, the piece that completed our little family.

Our hearts are broken and our house is quiet and empty without your soft little body and your many grunts, squeaks, and snorts. As sad as we are now, we are forever grateful for the love and purpose you gave us, and we will go forward as better people for having known you. You were found as a stray dog and brought to a vet and then to a foster home. It still makes us sad to think of you walking along the highway all by yourself, but you left on that journey at the same time as we were reeling from the loss of another little friend. When the pug rescue sent us your picture, your dad was skeptical because he was scared of the commitment, but your mom almost fell over with excitement just looking at you.

When we got the chance to meet you, six years ago, it was clear that you had been guided on your little adventure straight to your new mom’s foot. As you sat there on her shoe, we instantly fell in love with you. We never really knew how old you were, and to us, you never seemed to age. We did everything together, and with your companionship, silliness, and willful personality, you brought joy to our lives and helped us through good times and bad. We were a package deal. Everyone who knew and loved us, loved you too.

Last summer, when you started to fall down, our hearts sank, but you seemed determined to keep walking and exploring as much as possible. Then, when the vet told us that you would slowly lose your ability to walk and eventually your ability to breathe comfortably, we mourned what we knew would be our inevitable loss.

However, instead of being sad and difficult, the last year of your life was priceless and taught us how to love deeper than we ever thought possible. The pandemic gave us the opportunity to spend every hour of every day with you for the last six months, and even though we had a lot of time to soak you in and say goodbye, there is no way it could have ever been enough. You were our best friend, and you will never be replaced. We are happy that your spirit is free but we will miss you forever. We promise to take what you taught us about unconditional love and apply it to all of our relationships. We will feel you around and inside us forever. Please know that you were such a good girl, and we are grateful that you found us.

Love,

Mom and Dad