"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

It’s been over a year since we had to make that terrible and heartbreaking decision to let you go. It seems having dogs, or any pet for that matter, always ends with some form of sadness. We know you didn’t live a good life, you lived a great one. We all knew someday you would move on and go to wherever our bundles of energy go. Is it called “Doggy Heaven” like everyone says it is? Anyways, you just happened to deteriorate in health so fast. The whole process wasn’t slow it was a quick end. I think you made the most out of your 12 years though. I remember the first time I saw you as a puppy just going nuts because you were a labrador that didn’t know what sleep was. I can’t say you were one of the brightest or sharpest knives in the drawer but everything you did was for us. It seemed as your main goal in life was to make us happy. Humans have bad days. We get caught in our emotions, for better or worse, and we don’t bring that same energy and enthusiasm to our loved ones everyday. You never had a ... Read more

It’s been over a year since we had to make that terrible and heartbreaking decision to let you go. It seems having dogs, or any pet for that matter, always ends with some form of sadness. We know you didn’t live a good life, you lived a great one. We all knew someday you would move on and go to wherever our bundles of energy go. Is it called “Doggy Heaven” like everyone says it is? Anyways, you just happened to deteriorate in health so fast. The whole process wasn’t slow it was a quick end. I think you made the most out of your 12 years though. I remember the first time I saw you as a puppy just going nuts because you were a labrador that didn’t know what sleep was. I can’t say you were one of the brightest or sharpest knives in the drawer but everything you did was for us. It seemed as your main goal in life was to make us happy. Humans have bad days. We get caught in our emotions, for better or worse, and we don’t bring that same energy and enthusiasm to our loved ones everyday. You never had a ... Read more

It’s been over a year since we had to make that terrible and heartbreaking decision to let you go. It seems having dogs, or any pet for that matter, always ends with some form of sadness. We know you didn’t live a good life, you lived a great one. We all knew someday you would move on and go to wherever our bundles of energy go. Is it called “Doggy Heaven” like everyone says it is? Anyways, you just happened to deteriorate in health so fast. The whole process wasn’t slow it was a quick end. I think you made the most out of your 12 years though. I remember the first time I saw you as a puppy just going nuts because you were a labrador that didn’t know what sleep was. I can’t say you were one of the brightest or sharpest knives in the drawer but everything you did was for us. It seemed as your main goal in life was to make us happy. Humans have bad days. We get caught in our emotions, for better or worse, and we don’t bring that same energy and enthusiasm to our loved ones everyday. You never had a ... Read more

My life without you changed me. It caused me a great amount of pain. I never forgave you, and if I could go back and forgive you I wouldn’t. I hope it was as hard on you as it was from me just a little bit harder. I looked up to you for a long time as a loving and caring soul. Everytime we were in the car and your favorite music would come on you would make me sing with you.Now every time the same song comes on i turn it off. It has caused me pain to think that it’s all over now and i have someone new. You will always have a place in my memories and a tiny place in my heart. Sometimes I wish I could erase you in every way possible but I can’t. My family and I have all grieved your death, and they still all miss you, but I don’t. It affected me greatly but I am another person now. I’m trying hard in school to show you and my family that i am capable of achieving. Now I am here to show you that i am capable of letting you go. ... Read more

I miss you, a lot. I miss watching Kentucky basketball games with you, they always seemed to win when I watched them with you. The games were so much better with you and I miss those good times we had together. I was sad to see you go but it’s nice to know you’re in a better place now with your brother, my Uncle Johnny. I’ve never seen my dad cry until he found out that you had passed away, and that’s when I realized how much of an impact you made on the whole family. I wish I got to spend more time with you than I did but it was hard because you lived in Hawaii and I love in Ohio. I always loved those texts I’d get from you if Kentucky won a big game that we weren’t able to watch together. When you died from skin cancer it made grandpa really scared for all of us. He made me go to the doctor and get checked out and now anytime I go outside, even if it’s not sunny he makes me put on sunscreen and he dumps about a whole bottle on me. It’s to ... Read more

I really miss you. I have regret from our relationship. I was really immature back when you coached me. I realize looking back that you actually cared and you legitimately wanted me and the others to succeed. I was too dumb to realize then but I do now and I thank you for taking me in on the team, coaching me up and sending me off to higher competition because you knew that was the direction that I needed to be headed in. I had a great time playing on your team and I value the memories and the friends I made from playing. I wish I could go back and tell you how much I really appreciated you helping.

I miss you. These pass 11 years have been rough without you. My mom got remarried in 2011 and she happy now. She tells us that she was unhappy with you because you would point out her insecurities which I believe. I hope you learned to love people for who they are up in heaven. The mistakes you made in the past are not forgotten but your still my dad and I miss you so much. I think how my life would be different if you were still here. Our lives changed a lot Kayla has her own house which you thought wouldn’t never happen and she has a job at amazon which I am so proud of her for accomplishing to graduate high school and get a good job and a good house. Hanna is 16 years old and is pretty happy she made the high school soccer team 3 years in a row and that’s a huge accomplishment. Heather is 12 years old and she does soccer and diving for her school which I’m glad she is trying something new. Then I am 15 years old and found and interest in band and I am doing marching band ... Read more

Hi dad, its been quite some time since you left. life has been a lot different since then, i’m 15 now and a lot more mature i take care of myself and look after my little sister, and iv been doing alright in school too it is hard tho and stresses me out sometimes but i still try my hardest to never give up. Moms not doing so good right now i try to help but she just gets mad, i don’t think she wants us around much anymore i guess she has more important things to do like go out on dates with her boyfriend, but hey at lest that makes her happy. I hope your happy in heaven i remember you telling me that you would be waiting for us up there, i remember how funny you were and how you always made us. laugh me and my sister miss that a lot, i hope your doing well and if dogs do go to heaven say hi to frosty.

Life is different without you. It’s weird. I keep waiting for you to call, even though I know you won’t. I miss you. I got my temps dad. I’m finally driving. I wish you were here to see. We all miss you. The boys are doing okay. We took them trick’ or treating last night. They loved it. Paxton got scared sometimes, but he had fun. I wish you were there. Now Thanksgiving is coming up, and I keep thinking of our Thanksgiving that year. When you brought us a turkey, and other foods. It’s hard without you. I keep listening to the songs you used to send me. It makes me miss you more, but it reminds me of you. I sleep in your Bear Cats hoodie. It makes me feel like your still here. I have a voicemail that you once left me of you telling me you love me, and I listen to it on repeat. I don’t know what I would do if I lost it. I don’t want to forget your voice. I miss you dad. I hope I can see you again one day…

My life without you changed me. It caused me a great amount of pain. I never forgave you, and if I could go back and forgive you I wouldn’t. I hope it was as hard on you as it was from me just a little bit harder. I looked up to you for a long time as a loving and caring soul. Everytime we were in the car and your favorite music would come on you would make me sing with you.Now every time the same song comes on i turn it off. It has caused me pain to think that it’s all over now and i have someone new. You will always have a place in my memories and a tiny place in my heart. Sometimes I wish I could erase you in every way possible but I can’t. My family and I have all grieved your death, and they still all miss you, but I don’t. It affected me greatly but I am another person now. I’m trying hard in school to show you and my family that i am capable of achieving. Now I am here to show you that i am capable of letting you go. ... Read more