RICKIE, ONE YEAR HE HAS BEEN GONE

A year ago yesterday, I had to put my long haired chihuahua Rickie, down.  I thought I would put some pictures of Rickie on so you can see him.

When I got him he was sick.  I didn't know until I took him to the vet to get his puppy shots a day after I got him.  The vet told me to take him back and get my money back, but I told him I couldn't for two reasons-I loved him and if I didn't get him better the breeder probably wouldn't either.  Of course I had more money then than I do now.  So the vet got rid of Rickie's worm, clearned his ear infection and cured his chest cold. 

Rickie was named after little Rickie in the TV series I Love Lucy.  He loved people but was afraid of everything except big dogs.  I use to say he was a St. Bernard in hiding.  If a big dog came up to him, he would hold his ground and bark.  I would pick him up.  He was afraid of his own shadow and I am not kidding.  He also didn't like bubbles, paper flying in the wind, kids dressed in Halloween costumes and more.  He would bark at anything especially when I went out of the apartment and left him home.  People told me he really parked while someone took care of him when I broke my ankle and was in the hospital 3 1/2 weeks.  Every time I left after that, he was sure I wasn't coming back.

He got cancer which the vet removed, but it came back.  I took him to Cornell University and was told he would last about 10 weeks.  He lived for almost 2 1/2 years.  I say the good Lord and love made him live that long.

I always said I would not let him suffer.  The day before he went, we getting our apartments remodeled and he was chasing after the work men.  He loved to do that.  But that night he cried all night.  I called the vet and took him in.  She said he had reached his time to go.  I stayed right with him while she put him down.  She let me stay with him for a while and held him when I left. I had him for 11years. His ashes are on top of my TV next to Niki, the poodle I had when I got Rickie.  I hope they are both playing together in heaven. 

There are a lot of things about Rickie I didn't say, but he was a good boy and I love him so much even now that he is gone.  He didn't like if I cried or had tears so: Remember him with a smile not a tear. 

Marilyn