FOR KIRK

Dear Kirkiebakirkie,

I still remember the day I first met you. I picked you up from lola’s house after school and on the ride home, we took our first selfie. Now, I know I don’t look as excited as you in our picture but let me reassure you that I was. I was doing my best to get both of us in the frame and back in 2003, it was a real challenge as the Nokia 3650 I was using didn’t have a front camera. The other dogs didn’t really welcome you when we arrived; they were shooing you actually but I had your back so it was them we shooed out of the room. I guess that earned me brownie points from you as you followed me everywhere that day – even to the toilet! But I didn’t mind, not even a little bit. I liked having your trust, it challenged me the same way that it flattered me. And that my friend, is how we began our decade long friendship.

Through the years, I’ve seen you through tangled hair and awkward haircuts. I’ve witnessed you transform from the doggie pariah you were on your first day to the casanova stud that sired at least 10 puppies. You’ve happily welcomed me home over 3,000 times without fail – even during the times I came home drunk and almost tripped on you! We’ve took a bunch of silly photos (Christmas 2009, anyone?) and I even have a song (ok fine, a rhyme) composed for you. But it wasn’t just the fun times that we’ve shared. Our then maid, Delna, observed that you patiently hung by my bed when the waterworks started flowing over a break-up. She jokingly told me to stop crying as it’s making Kirk sad too. You literally licked my tears away when I bawled harder as I reached down to hug you. 

You were always there. And it kills me that these past couple of years, I haven’t always been there for you. I wish I had been able to properly say goodbye. I hope you knew how much I love you and that you’re a big part of my life and that yes, you’re my favorite dog. 

Thank you for the 10 years of unconditional love and for that painful but necessary reminder that life is finite and that I should never take anything – or anyone – for granted. In the words of The Flaming Lips, everyone you know someday will die and instead of saying all your good byes, let them know you realize that life goes fast. It has been both an honor and a pleasure to have met you in this lifetime, my Kirkiebakirkie. 

 I love you, Kirkie. (Sounds like turkey.. Who acts like a monkey.. But is not a donkey.. Whose name rhymes with car key.. Is my Kirkie..)

xx