In Memory...

Rocky Aloysius Bousquet

Cleo Flip Flops Lopa

	Rocky Aloysius Bousquet
	July 1987 - August 26, 1999

Rocky was born in July of 1987. He came into our lives September of that year. He was the most wonderful dog that ever set foot on this earth. He counted, rolled over, slapped you five anything that would get him a treat. Everyone that met him agreed that he was a wonderful dog. He was patient and obedient and full of love. It has been over two years since he slipped out of our lives and finally the sadness is gone. What will never leave us is all the wonderful memories we have of him.

Dear Rocky,

Thank you for gracing us with your wonderful presence for twelve too short years. We love you and will always miss you.

Love, Kerri

	Rocky and Kristy's dog Gizmo
Rocky under the covers of Kerri's bed.

	Cleo Flip Flops Lopa
	August 1982 - March 21, 1995

Cleo was rescued by us from the Protector of Animals in Newington during the summer of 1983. She was found wandering the woods alone looking for a family to love. At first we didn't think we could handle the responsibility, so we gave her back. A week later, we couldn't stand to be away from her, and fortunately Cleo was still there, so we took her back home where she belonged. Cleo was pretty much a couch potato, but she was so content and happy she couldn't have lived a better life. Her favorite foods were cheese and soft-served ice cream. She was always included on trips to the ice cream parlor and always got her own cone. She also loved going "bye bye in the car" on trips to the beach house in Rhode Island. Her passing was devastating to us. The first dinner without her in the kitchen with us was so empty I didn't think I could ever get over it. Time does heal all wounds, and we will all be together again one day at Rainbow Bridge. I wrote this poem about Cleo, and it always makes me remember how special she was and still is:

CLEO

On your last day,

In our family room,

I cradled you for the first time.

I was always afraid to.

I didn't want to drop you.

I didn't want you to fall.

But I knew this was the last time I would hold you.

And wanted to protect you as we walked out.

You would not fall.

I knew you knew it was time.

Your eyes seemed to thank me.

Thank me for the walks we shared,

   at the high school soccer field,

   during the rainstorm on my birthday,

   through the snow in our front yard.

Thank me for the games we played,

   with that yellow ball we liked,

   on days I was feeling blue

   which you made much better.

Thank me for letting you go,

   so you could be with your mother again.

That extra week was my selfish plea.

I didn't want to believe God was

Calling you home.

You belonged with us.

But you knew.

And then I knew.

With your weight balanced in my arms,

I walked towards our family room door.

You looked around for the last time

To grasp the memories of the past twelve years.

   The couch you always slept on,

   The chair you always jumped on,

   The rug you always rolled on.

I held you close to my chest,

Wondering if I could let you go

Out of my arms,

And out of my life.

How many times had we walked out that door together

   To to go for a walk?

   To go to Grandma's house?

   To enjoy the warm sun together?

We never imagined a last time,

But here it was.

You licked my hand

And rested your head in my arm.

Like always,

You trusted me.

Greg opened the car door for you.

I looked into your eyes for the final time.

It was a lifetime's worth.

You put your paw on my chin,

And kept it there.

You told me it was okay.

We would see each other again.

As I placed you down

In your bed on the back seat of the car,

You smiled.

"See you later, Cleo," came out somehow.

You fell right to sleep.

Exhausted.

Happy.

I closed the door.

Greg drove you down the driveway.

Empty in my heart, but full of our memories,

I waved good-bye,

And began to remember.