Dear Garvin,
I wish we had more time together, but 9 years together & the joy you brought me in that time will last me a lifetime.
When I first saw your picture on Pet Finder, I was immediately in love. I was looking for a Lab, & saw you in the mix. When we met, your ear was taped back from an ear infection
& the first thing I noticed was how big your head was. I was nervous to adopt a part Pittie, but I’m so glad I did.
The past 9 years, you’ve been there for it all. We’ve both had some ups & downs, but at least we’ve always had each other. You’ve been my protector, & I’ve been yours. You’ve taught me so much about myself. You helped me pack & take on the challenge of building a new life alone, but I was never really alone bc at least I had you & that was all I needed.
Our life together has been filled with adventures, from Flagstaff to San Diego, & boy did you enjoy the car rides & AC or wind in your face. I’ll never forget the time you caught & ate a bird whole, but I guess that was just the Lab in you. Your endless begging for food is what’s granted you the nickname Starvin Garvin, which is entirely fitting, & that’s how I’ll always remember you (although I’Il never understand where the name Garvin even came from).
Out of all the things I love about you, my favorite thing has been how sweet & loving you’ve been to me. Regardless of your rough exterior & loud bark, you’re the sweetest, bestest boy.
I’ll miss your floppy/crazy ears when you’re excited. I’ll miss your googly, expressive eyes. I’ll miss your talking/whining when you’re begging for food or want attention. I’ll miss your beautiful yellow & brown coat that people always commented on. I’ll miss your cute pink nose (that was always dripping), & your constant tail wagging (even when it would hurt to be hit with that thing). I’ll miss you running to greet me when I’m home, & immediately grabbing your toy to take outside with you. I’ll miss your party trick of shaking hands whenever you wanted food. I’ll miss everything about you.
Thank you again for everything these past 9 years. You’ve been the light in my life through my darkest moments, & I can’t put into words how much I’ll miss you. I know it’s selfish to want you to stay, so it’s time for you to rest. You’ve overcome so much this past year, & I like to think it was to take care of & watch over me until you trusted someone else to.
I will never stop grieving you Garvin, but I know it’s only because I love you so much. They’ll be a Garvin shaped hole in my heart forever, but I’m so grateful & thankful to have loved & been loved by you.
Garvin. My chicken nugget, my garbanzo bean, my lil love, my cutie patootie, my handsome boy. You’ve been my universe, & I’ve loved each & every second of our life together. Thank you again for everything. You are my soul dog, & you’ll never be replaced or replicated. I’ll love you forever & always.
Blog