Today was a very sad and emotional day for us as a family, losing our beloved Romeo. He was and always will be my special gift from the universe and the time has come for me to let him go. I thought I was prepared for this because I knew he was getting old, even though he still acted like a puppy. He had a cough that had been lingering and getting worst, plus a heart condition. But Romeo had always been a healthy Shih-Tzu and I never had to take him in for eye or ear infections, which this breed is known to have.

Given I also had Romeo’s father, Elvis for over 11 years, I knew he had inherited his father’s heart condition that took him the same way. Shih-Tzus for me are extremely special. They are Chinese dogs and are considered spiritual, intelligent, loving creatures and I felt this was my special little gift in life. He was the closest thing I’d ever have to a baby in this lifetime and I loved him deeply.

Since I grew up in and out of foster homes, I never had animals and always wanted a dog. I was in my early 20s when I  finally got my first dog. She was a Lhasa and was gifted to me, so I didn’t pick the breed. I named her Honey and she got hit by a car when I lived in Knoxville, Tennessee. I was devastated and was gifted again by another female Lhasa that I had for over 5 years, she too was hit by a car. So I decided to change breeds and not have another female dog. I decided it was time for me to pick a breed and fell in love with the Shih-Tzu.

Because I was still grieving the loss of my dog, this particular Shih-Tzu had a calm personality as a puppy and stayed that way throughout his adult life. Elvis’ father was a stud and my friend Viki had bred Shih-Tzus for over 30 years. She told me if I ever wanted to breed him in the future to let her know. I’m not into breeding animals and would rather rescue them, but this was a different time in my life and the universe led me to this Shih-Tzu. I felt like I had to have his first born son because Elvis was just so special and thus, my Romeo was born five years later. So I knew this was the one and only time in my life I would ever have such a dog and I feel blessed to have had him live such a long, healthy and happy life. He has brought me such joy and given me so much love throughout these 12 and a half years together and for that I’m in deep gratitude.

I’m also grateful that he went quickly, peacefully and here at home with all of us present today. I was scheduled to take him to the vet tomorrow for a check up on this cough that was getting worst and even though he looked and acted like a puppy, we all knew his days were numbered. Ronn has had many animals, most of them he had to put down and so the thought of putting Romeo down was more painful than the way he went.

Because he is my special gift from the universe, I have decided to cremate him and found a wonderful service Guardian After Care that picked him up and will deliver his ashes in an urn with a lock of his hair, name on a plaque with paw prints. This way I can keep his special presence with me always. I think animals are blessings in our lives and add to our spiritual growth. The unconditional love and devotion they give you is so innocent and pure, if only we could be more like them with other human beings?

Nothing will ever compare to my Romeo. He was deeply loved by many and quite a charming little man that most of you know could sing. So in loving memory of my special little gift in life, here is Romeo singing as I know he is with his father in doggy heaven right now.
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