“Sunshine” a.k.a. General Chesty: February 16, 2006 – April 10, 2015
On February 16, 2006, you shined your light on this world for the first time. From the initial moment we met, when you were just 2 weeks old, my life blossomed beyond any level I had ever known.
Sunshine, you made me a better person. You taught me how to love abundantly, eat with gusto, embrace the best in people, smell the sweetness of the early day, rest without a care in the world, pick up my pace when duty called, and slow down long enough to give thanks to the gifts of friendship, family, and love.
You lit up a room with your gentle and giant spirit, and you continue to spread love through every nook and cranny of my being.
Throughout the course of your beautiful life, you saved me countless times from losing sight of the present moment. Like right now as I write this I am once again reminded, with the thought of your caring nudge, to take pause and reflect on the pristine beauty of the now.
I look around me and you’re everywhere. I feel your warmth and love kissing the air and filling it with hope and lightness. You comfort me, even from the other side of that Rainbow Bridge, because you’re that powerful and loving.
I miss you so much. I miss your smell, soft fur, wet nose, soulful eyes, and silly poses. I miss your hugs, snores, and limitless appetite for everything yummy and fun this world has to offer. I miss you pawing at me when I’m working too hard. I miss you waking me up in the middle of the night to take you outside so you can explore where bunnies and squirrels play in the backyard. I miss that look you used to give me when you wanted me to stop everything and sit with you on the couch under all of your one hundred and ten pounds of strength. I will cherish the memories of those cuddles forever.
I miss life on your time, Sunshine.
I miss you calling the shots.
I’ll always miss everything about you.
You’ve left permanent paw prints on my heart, and I will hold them dearly and honor them with grateful pleasure knowing I am deeply blessed for having the love and companionship of one of the greatest, selfless souls imaginable.
The lives of those you touched will always shine brightly. You’ve touched so many. Wherever we ventured, people stopped in their tracks to take in your sweet eyes and adorable expression. You lifted people’s spirits with such ease. Oh how I loved that ability of yours. I take great comfort in knowing without a doubt that your memory will live on in so many hearts.
It’s been a privilege and an honor sharing life with you.
You are my Sunshine, my one and only Sunshine.
Until we meet again my sweet boy…
