On Sunday August 14 we lost our beautiful Pumpkin at the age of 20.

Pumpkin arrived in our house three years ago after she had been left at a local shelter because her person had been admitted to a nursing home.  I saw her picture in the shelter's newsletter and showed up there the next day with adoption on my mind.  We ended up adopting both Pumpkin and Jeffrey on the spot.

Pumpkin was skittish and it took months to be able to pick her up without her snapping at me but perseverance and love won the day.  After a time she became comfortable enough to rest on my lap - but never for too long!  Pumpkin had her preferences - and her preferences were either to be on the move or snuggled up in her bed.  For the short six months before Jeffrey passed away he was Pumpkin's constant companion.  He'd been a lonely boy before he was rescued so never wanted to be far from company.

Pumpkin, though 17 when she came to live with us, was an active dog.  She loved being outside. Though walks were typically 'sniff arounds', Pumpkin would suddenly take off at a run and I would have to go trotting after her - she winded me more than once!  And how that little Miss Pumpkin loved to sniff at the local 'watering holes' - the fire hydrant, the mailboxes, any place another dog had been instantly became a source of utter fascination for Pumpkin!

As the years passed Pumpkin slowed down and so she became content to hang out in the backyard and spend more time cuddling.  I loved to cuddle her - her small sweet body nestled into mine.  And I loved to just look at her - Pumpkin had the most beautiful eyes and a little mop of fur at the top of her head that dangled into her eyes, requiring constant trimming.

I miss my Pumpkin.  I miss the sound of her breath, the tip tap of her paws as she walked around the house, her eager crunching of the dog cookies I baked for her, and those beautiful beautiful eyes.

Thank you Pumpkin for being with us.  You are forever in our hearts my little love.