Hello all,

I've seen some thoughtful tributes to beloved pets that have gone to the bridge...from flower and rock gardens to jewelry with a stamped image of a pawprint or the pet's likeness. There are so many ways to pay homage to wonderful, loyal, brave and strong tripawds who had to leave far too soon.

My 16 year old tripawd cat (Jerry) passed away a bit over three months ago. I decided to use my existing little free library to honor his memory as well as my son's (who the library is a memorial for). I placed a small gray tiger striped kitty inside the library for children to borrow when they come to my house to check out books. It's a hit in the neighborhood so far. In the spring I plan to plant some flowers underneath the library's stand and will add a stone garden cat as well. I've always loved the idea of having fresh flowers in the house but could never have them for 16 years because Jerry would jump up to where ever they were, and chomp away. The idea of a stone garden cat watching over flowers is amusing to me for that reason.

I will provide the backstory below for those who care to read it (it is not tripawd related):

Max's Little Free Library is a memorial for my 4 year old son Max, who passed away unexpectedly on Christmas Eve in 2005, after botched surgery to remove a brain tumor. When Max was a baby, we had a big, beautiful Boxer named Brutus that we had been a failed foster home for. We had gone to pick him up from his owner who was surrendering him, and by the time the two hour drive home was over, I knew this dog wasn't goin' anywhere. For the entire ride, he'd positioned himself uncomfortably in the passenger seat and just stared lovingly and whined while wagging his nub at the baby (my older son) in his car seat. Brutus LOVED my son to pieces but his devotion took on a whole other level when Max was born. For months, I couldn't so much as change a diaper without Brutus laying down beside baby Max to keep him company. He was right there when Max learned to crawl. He was there to help steady Max when he was attempting to walk. He camped out under his high chair at meal times. He took naps with him. Brutus followed Max 

E V E R Y W H E R E. You would not find one without the other.

When Max was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor, we had to bring our Boxers Brutus and Samson to doggie daycare while we were at the Children's Hospital. When we picked the dogs up a week later, I will never forget how Brutus whimpered and whined all the way home as he stood in "his spot" in the cargo area directly behind Max's car seat (which was still in the car). Brutus sniffed and sniffed and sniffed the headrest. He ran around the house, almost in a panic, and was looking in each room for his boy. Obviously, he never found him. Brutus ate less. He wasn't too interested in playing. He spent much time sleeping or laying in Max's room (which he shared with his 6 year old brother). 

Two days after Max's funeral, I decided to take Brutus for a walk. I had been extremely distraught that morning in particular, because we had a meeting in another city with the chief medical officer and the two surgeons and their lawyers scheduled for later that day. I was not looking forward to it at all and during the walk I was talking to Brutus and crying. I was crying and telling him I was concerned for Max because I didn't know if he was lonely where ever he was. If he was confused, worried, missing us, afraid? And then I said this (and I will never forget it). I looked over at him as he pranced on the sidewalk and he did the famous Boxer head tilt as he listened to me. I said, "Brutus, I just wish he had someone with him to keep him company because then he wouldn't be alone."

Brutus and I finished up our walk and went into the house. I walked upstairs to send an email before gathering my things and the dogs to take them back to daycare for the day. When I sat down at the computer, Brutus went to sit down near my feet, and instead he stiffened, then collapsed. His breathing became very labored and he peed everywhere.

Already a wreck, I started screaming and called my dad and asked him to meet us at the vet's office. I can't put into words what a difference 60 minutes made. Brutus was PRANCING on our walk. But he appeared to have aged 10 years before my eyes. He could barely walk unassisted. He was examined, they took chest x-rays, they did an ultrasound and found his heart was enlarged and his lungs were full of tumors. This dog was literally the picture of health and poster boy for an adult Boxer. He showed zero signs and symptoms of being ill at all. He was play-biting his leash and dragging me up the driveway just an hour before. To say I was shocked is sorely inadequate. There wasn't anything I could do for him. No treatment. The vets recommended euthanasia. We did so and were numb. I couldn't believe that the dog I was counting on to help me after losing my son, was now gone too. But I quickly remembered what I had said to him on our walk an hour earlier. Was Brutus just giving me what I asked for? Was this DOG bestowing pretty much the greatest gift anyone could ever give a grieving mother - peace of mind? I didn't want my son to be alone and now his beloved dog was going to be with him. Was it just a coincidence? Did Brutus die of a broken heart? I won't know until the day I get to see them both again. The amount of tears I shed in that vet's office could have filled a bathtub. Twice. I was hysterical. 

While Brutus was not a tripawd, he was a wonderful dog who liked to chase Jerry Cat (who came to officially live with us soon after both Max and Brutus were gone). He will always be the most special dog I've ever had, who was a perfect example of the unique bond people can have with their pets.