Chico is in Doggy Heaven.

Chico

Age 8, ~2003 - August 23, 2011

Chico our beloved pet, friend and companion.

Chico our beloved family pet, friend and companion! My olny consolation is how truly loved you and spoiled you were ALL of your days with us. Your family misses you so much and we are ALL in shock and sad that you left so soon and sudden. Our last morning togther is forever engraved in my mind and I thank God that I had that last little bit of time.

Chico was given to us by a family friend. He was the biggest of all the litter and a had a mean streak. He was so fearful when we first got him he wouldn't even let anyone look at him without growling and snapping. The kids weer overjoyed to see and meet him, he was a surprise to them. Whe we first got him home he ran and hid behind the television and would not come out. Everytime the kids attempted to touch him he would begin to growl and snap! I even wondered if I should keep him at this point, as this continued for 3 days. Finally on the third day it was Shanon (8 yrs. old at the time) went and got some bologna and hand fed it to Chico, and finally he came out from behind the television. Everyday since he had a special bond with Shanon and she with him.

As the years rolled on Chico remained VERY protective of myself and all 4 of my kids. He would pretty much attack everyone who came over and established his authority! He would let people visit and get comfortable but when they got up to leave he would rush up to them at the door barking as if to throw them out of our house. ALL of our friends and family came to know of Chico's reputation, but yet everyone adored and respected him. He was SO smart. He was housebroken and established his own ways to let us know when he was hungry, needed water or needed to go out. He didn't tear up th ehouse, or clothes. He frequently slept under the covers and in the bed with each of us as he chose. Every night someone different but he always seemed to end up in my room and if not in my bed as well. I didn't mind and became acostomed to it.

With 4 kids in the house Chico never allowed them to fuss or argue and would get barking and going off on them the minute they started arguing or even raised their voices. He looked forward to them coming home from school everyday. So many memories I could go on forever, I'm so torn that you are gone Chico.

His last morning started like every other morning, with me returning from dropping the girls off at school, my son walked to school. I came home to find him asleep under my covers and he quickly came out and I motioned him to jump up on my bed with me, where I started to pet, stroke, kiss and love on him telling him good morning. I went to the kitchen noticed his water was low and refilled it. I then heated up some fried rice we brought home froma restaraunt the night before which had alot of small pieces of chicken and beef cooked into it. Chico followed me back into the bedroom where we shred the fried rice while I watched the morning news. he sat here next to me as I would eat and then pick a small piece of meet and hand feed it to him! My fiance had been asleep but soon woke and went into the livingroom and got on the computer. I followed after a few minutes, greeted him good morning where he apologized for keeping me up last night with his snoring to which I replied "you and Chico both!" Chico snored and even barked in his sleep occasionall. I told my fiance I wanted to lay back down and take a short nap. On my way back down the hall I spotted Chico in my son's room where he would go lay down on his covers. He started doing this just last week noticing that my son was gone in the morning, I could tell Chico was a little depressed over the kids being back in school during that day. he would sleep most of the day and then be up and HAPPY when they would return. So noticing Chico in my son's room I called to him to follow me into my room and then up on the bed with me to lay down. He was only 10 lbs. I played with him some more on the bed and began licking me on my hands and then my face and I kept trying to stop his licking but continued to pet him. He layed next to me and turned over on his back for me to rub his belly which we all did frequently!! Then I stopped, he got up and licked my hand for me to keep going, but I moved my hand away, and he reached over an pawed at my arm. I told him no and he immediately dug up the covers on the side of me, got under and layed down. We both dozed off as I watched TV and I told myself just 1 hour!! At some point my fiance came into the room, shwered and got ready for work. While I was still asleep he decided to let Chico out to go pee, and aginst my repeated warnings he did not go outside with Chico as we are acostumed to doing, he simply opened the door and let him out. I had just warned him NOT to do this the day before and explained that I didnt want Chico to wonder into the busy street just in front of the hosue. He didn't listen, Chico was VERY smart and my fiance didn't think it would even happen. But it did, the next thing i knew my fiance woke me up and, he was very sad and simply said Chico got hit. I immediately wanted it to be a joke or not true and he repeated it. I had to hear him say it 2-3 more times before it sank in. He grabbed me hugging me and began apologizing. I just kept saying I told you not to let him out, I told you...but our Chico's gone. He went every where with us. On vacations, holiday travel, trips to the drive through or to pick the kids up from school. My kids and I are so devastated, we've had Chico for 9 years since they were little, now they in high school. All of them cried uncontrllably upon learning what happened to Chico today. I myself have alot of anger, sadness, grief and other emotions, but I'm doing my best to be strong for the kids and remind them of how much we loved Chico and how he loved us all back. There will NEVER be another Chico. I can't believe this time last night he was right here snoring under my covers and now he's gone forever....