Annie lost her battle with Congestive Heart Failure today (5/4/06) @ 11:30 AM EDT.

 I let her go to the Rainbow Bridge wrapped in her little pink blanket. The choice was not mine, she let me know.

Farewell my brave little beagle girl. If Love alone could have kept you on this earth you would never leave.

Old Dog In A Locket by Bobbie Hefner

Old dog in a locket
That lies next to my heart,
I will always love you
As I did right from the start.

You were there beside me
Through the darkest of days,
It was your kind gentle nature
That made me want to stay.

Now, as I held you in my arms
Your breath so warm against my hand,
Our hearts still beat together
So I was sure you'd understand.

Through the hour that I held you
Before the Light left your soul,
I knew a way to keep you close,
Forever in my hold.

I snipped the hair from 'round your eyes
So I would always see
The beauty that surrounds me
Even in times of need.

I snipped the hair from 'round your ears
So I would always hear
Music in the distance
To quiet any fears.

I snipped the hair from across your back
To bring me strength in times of need,
And the power of your essence
Would always be with me.

And I snipped the hair from near your heart
That beats in time with mine
So I would know your love would find me
At that near or distant time.

And so, your life slipped out of mine
On a quiet, Spring-like day
But I knew then that part of you
Was always here to stay.

Old dog in a locket
That lies next to my heart,
I will always love you
Even though we had to part.

Personal Tribute to Annie