Yesterday we again celebrated Karlie on what would have been her 19th birthday. Every year I can’t believe she’s not here to celebrate with us. It’s been over four years since we said goodbye and five years since we’ve celebrated her birthday with her. Despite that we had a nice celebration that she would have loved. We did some of her favorite things – went for an early morning hike, played agility and ball in the backyard, spent our day in the backyard, and had birthday muffins and doggy ice cream after dinner. Sunny even ate her birthday muffin in one bite just like Karlie used to do. It was a great day and helped me not miss my sweet little Bug so much.
Although it’s been many years since we said goodbye, July is always one of the harder months because of her birthday. This year has been even a little harder because I’ve been writing a new book about her and her sister, Anna. I’ve been reliving the younger years of these two girls and it reminds me of how much fun we had and how much I miss the two of them. They were so much fun together and the very best of friends. I hope to share their story with everyone before the end of the year.
Reliving their lives reminds me how lucky I have been to live my life with 4 special dogs – Jasmine, Anna, Karlie, and now Sunny. I miss the girls who are no longer here, but I celebrate and remember them in the things I do with Sunny. And although there are still some sad days and times when I miss them, mostly I am happy to have shared my life with each of them and to continue to celebrate them and make new memories with Sunny. I’ve learned that you don’t stop missing them after saying goodbye, you just find a different way to live with their memories and to celebrate the time you had with them. I’m so lucky that Karlie picked Sunny for me to carry on our traditions, continue our hiking adventures, and to make new memories. She makes me smile every day and I’m happy to have her as my adventure buddy.
Happy, happy birthday, sweet little Bug. I hope you are running on the beach, chasing tennis balls, and putting your toes in the water. And I know Anna is right there with you, probably playing defense as you come running back with the ball. I love you forever, Little One.