After the devastating loss of my beloved Yorkshire terrier, Corky Rose on January 10, 2007 a memorial service was conducted in my backyard to commemorate his life. The extreme grief I have experienced since this loss is apparent in the presentation. In sharing this with others I hope to carry on Corky's legacy of love and total devotion to me and perhaps help ease the pain that remains with me today.
The Corky Rose Memorial Garden dedicated on 2/11/07…had many neighbors (about 20) and some of their little dogs (about 12) in attendance. The small gated community we live in allows close encounters with other pet owners on their daily walks and therefore offers a rather unique gathering of these friends and acquaintances. The presentation was made as follows:
Welcome everyone…And thank you for coming.
It was 30 days yesterday since my little Corky Rose was sent to be with his angels. I have mourned him daily. His parting has left me with a deep void in my heart. As Corky was leaving me he “told” me … “Mommy, I love you and I know you love me but, since I have to leave now… please go to the “Little Dog Rescue” and find me a little brother/sister. I know how you love and I know you can still love more than any little rescue will ever need. I never liked sharing you you know, but this ONE TIME I will make an exception.”
So on the one month anniversary of his parting I did just that. I rescued little Peaches, Pickle, Pepper whom I would like to introduce to you now… Corky Rose's little sister “Pepper.” (Name was changed later to Honey Rose).
(A small 3” x 4” hand-carved box was presented):
This small little box will hold the memory of my precious, my precious forever. Inside you will find pasted into the lid… the memoriam:
Love, Remember, Forever
Remember loved ones never leave
They are forever near
For their love lives on in memories
Our hearts held dear.
On the back it says:
Expressively Yours,
To: Nancy
From: Colleen
Enclosed in the box it came in (the bracelet) was
A beautiful little silver charm bracelet
Which I will cherish forever!
I have also placed one of my favorite pictures of Corky and some pink rose petals in the box along with the poem.
First of all, I want to thank everyone here for coming and loving my little Corky Rose for all these years. As you were all aware Corky loved each one of you in his own special little way. He didn't act like he was a friend of your pet (if you happen to meet him on one of our walks) but I think that was just because Corky thought of himself as a “people” never a mere “dog”. So, it was beneath him to greet or be very friendly with your pet. I'm sure that now he is with the “Angels” they have explained to him that that wasn't the way to behave. I am also sure now, he misses all of your precious pets and would like a chance to “do it over”. So, please forgive him for being such a little PITA that way. He definitely loved ALL of you and your pets.
One of his special friends (that is, one he let get close to him) was Danny. Danny's mom Carole was always willing to care for my little Corky when I wanted to get away for a few days. Although he was a bit stressed when I left he would finally settle in and only require 95% of mommy Carole's time while he was there. If she wasn't available or his other friends Faye and Bill weren't available to babysit, I just didn't go! Never, would my precious, my precious see the inside of a kennel, although there are many nice ones around.
Another special friend (a dog, mind you) Becca was always happy to see Corky but watched him near her mom REAL close. You always have to watch those “dogs” that come around and act so innocent and then steal YOUR mommy away!
Arnold, his mommy, Mikel and his daddy, Chuck were also very special friends. I think Corky was the first friend Arnold had when he moved into the neighborhood a few years ago. After they moved after leaving for awhile they came back last year and moved in across the street from us Arnold and Corky sorta' greeted each other and would play for a few minutes. You remember Corky wasn't really “dog” friendly! Not even for Arnold.
