To all my furry friends

My family and I are very thankful to all my furry and human friends for all the support, kind words, hugs, purrs and all the love you have shown us during this difficult time.
Piccola crossed the Rainbow Bridge this rainy first day of june. I think it was raining because heaven was sad that such a beautiful soul had to leave her family, specially her Mom. Piccola was nervous all the time during the trip because it used to make her very excited to get into the car. It was an hour and a half of hearing her cry and walk in circles inside the pet taxi. But, when Mom and Piccola arrived to grandma's house, Piccola was even a little happy. Then, grandma told Mom that Piccola was calm at the Vet's office. She began her journey to the Bridge without a fight, in peace.
Again, I want to thank you all for show us a love that have been coming from around the world, something that I never imagined; the kind of love that Piccola deserved.

A letter for Piccola

Mom asked me to let her use this space to write a letter for Piccola, so she'll be the author of this post.

Dear Piccola:

It is so hard to write this letter, but it's been harder to make the decision that I'll explain to you next.
I remember the day you came to my life. It was just the right time, I was desperately seeking for a companion because I lost my last pet. The house felt so terribly lonely without a dog and I was telling everyone to help me find a chihuahua to adopt. Then you came. You were so tiny that you fitted completely in just one of my hands... yes, a month and a half month old chihuahua. It was love at first sight. From that moment on we were inseparable. I remember that, because you missed your doggie mom, I used to put you in my chest and sit in a rocking chair while listening to music from Enya. You loved that music and got asleep without any problem.
You were so smart from the beginning and always learned everything that I taught you so fast. The first thing you always did from the beginning was to every morning go to my bedroom door to wake me. Then you learned to climb up to my shoulders to ride there as if you were a parakeet; oh, that was always funny. And there was that time when I realized how brilliant you were. We were having the winds and rains of a hurricane, it was really scary. Your sister Melody got really scared, too, so scared that, instead of stay in the balcony where I prepared her a hiding place, she went running to the backyard before I could get her. I was calling her hysterically because it was too dangerous for anyone to be out (things were flying with the strong winds), but she didn't came. Then you came to me, looked at me and looked at the backyard. I told you: "Piccola, go get her, go get Melody and make her come inside the house". With a brave heart, you went into the rain and strong winds looking for Melody in the backyard. Then my heart stopped, because you didn't came back fast enough. Just when I was going to go after both of you, you came running from the backyard with Melody behind you. It was an amazing experience that showed me that animals understand much more than we humans think.
Even in your last years, been much older than the "appropriate" learning age for dogs, you continued to learn some tricks that I taught you, maybe not as fast, but you did learn them.
My dear sweetie, you have been my companion for 19 years. I want you to know that you have been the perfect pet, and that it makes me so sad to lose you. You have been ill for some time now and I know that you're suffering from various aches that make you uncomfortable and sad. I don't want you to suffer anymore and I don't want you to be in more pain. A pain that will only be more intensive from now on.
That's why today, we will have a trip. We will go to grandma's house so you can say hello to grandma, grandpa and the uncle. Then, grandma will take you on another trip to the Vet. He will help you ease your pains. He will give you a pass to go to a Rainbow Bridge. We both like rainbows, so you'll see it's a beautiful place. The Vet will give you something that will make you want to sleep, it's a peaceful sleep, so there's nothing to be afraid of. After that, only you will know what will happen, but I can assure you that you'll be pain free.
I can't be with you in that last journey, but I want you to know that the same way you have always been with me physically, you will always be in my heart and my memory, and I'll always cherish the years you dedicated to me and the unconditional love you gave me. My sweet-sweet Piccola, I will miss you very much and I will always love you.

An update on Piccola...

Today is Piccola's last day. Mom isn't feeling well, but, she's trying to have all the strengh that she can and trying not to think too much about tomorrow, when Piccola will have her last trip, before her journey through the Rainbow Bridge. I tell Mom that she should cry all she wants because that'll make her feel better. But I look at her eyes and I know that she's trying to be strong and trying not to cry in front of others, specially in front of Piccola. I don't know if Piccola knows, but she's calm. Mom said she's going to give Piccola a bath today, then sit with her and have a talk. Sometimes, Mom used to sit with Piccola and have talks and Piccola looked at her like she understands everything (of course, we pets know a lot more than humand can ever imagine). Now, Mom doesn't do that anymore because Piccola can't hear and doesn't pay attention to Mom when she's talking. But Mom will try it anyway. Mom will explain to Piccola her decision and how hard it has been for her to make it. She'll explain Piccola the procedure and will tell her that there's nothing to be afraid of, and that she'll be free of all pains and will not suffer any more; she'll feel like when she's sleeping. I know Piccola will understand and accept it, she trusts Mom.

About Piccola

It's important to maintain a good mood when you have problems and sickness, specially between your family, including your pets. But it's soooooooooo hard!
It's been a bad month for Mom because some of us, her pets, have been sick. You already know about Liah. She's in a more intensive treatment of antibiotics and Mom is taking really good care of her. Prince had a rash and was scraching a lot, but Mom took him to the Vet, too, and with a shot and some drops he's feeling better already.
The saddest note is now. Do you remember my oldest sister, Piccola? She's a 19 years old chihuahua.
Yes, 19 years. She's been a healthy loving companion for a long, really loooooong time for Mom. For some time, Piccola have been suffering from some unusual behavior. She tends to walk to the left instead of straight forward. Mom thought that it was because Piccola can barely see. But, there have been a few times now that Piccola walks in circles: she walks and walks and walks until she drops exhausted and dizzy.
Mom consulted with a few Vets and everyone told her that it should be that she's having little brain hemorrhages and that soon she'll probably have a big one. Mom knows that Piccola is suffering. Sometimes she doesn't want to eat, sometimes she cries or is very nervous and can't sleep properly. The Vet told Mom that it's time for Piccola to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
I haven't write about it before because Mom didn't want me to. I think she was on denial. But now, she's facing the truth about Piccola's condition. This next week, Piccola will be crossing the RB, probably next Tuesday.
Here's a video of Piccola walking in circles.