[CoolHandJean]

When I was in 4th grade, I was trying to earn my Pet Badge for Girl Scouts. We kept buying fish, but they'd last a day, and then die. So, it was becoming quite disturbing. My Parents talked it over and decided that I was responsible enough for my own dog, even though, they swore up and down that they would never have another dog, again.

My Mom brought me to the local animal shelter, Dessin Animal Shelter in Honesdale, PA. There were plenty of good-looking dogs to choose from, however, a little pack of black fluffy puppies caught my eye, and I immediately went over to them. My Mom asked the Shelter worker how big the puppies would get, and she responded that they would get pretty big, since, they were lab/husky mixes. My Mom tried to direct my attention to the beagle across from the puppies.

One of the puppies really caught my attention. She wasn't as hyper as the majority of the puppies, but not as laid back as her brother whom was asleep in his food. Plus she had one blue eye and one brown eye, which just pierced right into my heart. The Shelter Worker took the puppy out and let me hold her. She rested her head on my shoulder, and the decision was made that this puppy and I were meant to be. We had to keep her there, because she still needed to be spayed. So, when Mom and I left, I announced that the puppy would be called Cuddles Blue Eye, which Mom thought was a fine name.



A few days later, we got a call from the shelter. Parvo had taken over the shelter, and there was a chance that my Cuddles had it. The Lady told us that we could either take her home now and take the chance, or just wait and get a different dog. My Parents and I spoke it over, and my Dad said, "We wouldn't just leave a child there, so, why would we leave that dog?

So, we brought Cuddles home. It wasn't long before she had shown the signs of parvo they had warned us about. Again, I felt horrible. I was afraid I was going to lose her. Cuddles stayed at the vet what felt like a month to me, but I later found out it was only a week, which I guess when you are a kid feels like forever. The bills were piling up, but both my sister, Sue, and I offered some of our own savings toward the Vet bill. Cuddles survived, and we were all thrilled.



Cuddles and I had some great times growing up together. In the winter, I would put a harness on her, hook her to an ordinary sled, and let her pull my little nephew around. In the summer, we'd go to the stream or lake, and just enjoy the water, and Cuddles loved to chase the geese. Many times, Cuddles and I was just roam through the woods together, enjoy each other's company, and all of God's handy work.

Now I wasn't always a fantastic owner for her. Sometimes she didn't get out of her pen for weeks at a time, and sometimes I wouldn't clean her pen when I should have, yet, no matter what she still loved me, and whenever I needed a shoulder to cry on, I went to Cuddles. She was my Angel.



When I went off to college, I felt bad, because I only got to see her every other weekend or so. Then I transferred to a College in NC, and then I only got to see her once a year. It was tough, and I felt as if I had abandoned her. I started dating a man that lived in NC, and Dad suggested I move Cuddles there, this way I could see her more often. I am extremely grateful Dad thought of that, and that my boyfriend agreed to it. Cuddles moved South August 2005. While I knew she would miss the snow and hate the hot summers, I knew that us being together again was the main thing.



Cuddles had to put up with something new, though. She had to share my attention with other dogs. However, I had also matured a bit, and was a more responsible owner, and tried to walk her at least four times a week if not more, and I can tell Cuddles really loved and appreciated it. She had a certain bark that would alert me that she wanted a walk. I had learned a lot of her barks that meant different things. We could really communicate. On our walks, I'd talk to Cuddles, about everything under the sun, and the funny thing is some of my deepest conversation were with Cuddles.

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Even though, Cuddles was up there in age, she was in excellent shape, and impressed people how active she was for her age. However, the last few weeks of her life, she just didn't have the energy to take our long walk. Though, we went on one last long one, June 4, 2009, she gave that old alert bark that she wanted to walk, and we did.



The day that we had to put her down, she was very sluggish, and I thought maybe it was just the weather, but it was soon clear that my baby girl, my Angel, my Cuddles Blue Eye was preparing to go back to her Maker. We put her down and buried her near the stream. I know she would have loved that, because she had always loved water. Before she left us, I looked into those beautiful eyes once last time, and I told her that I'd love her forever, and that I'd see her again in Heaven. My heart aches for her. I am twenty-five, and she has been in my life for fifteen years. I knew it would hurt to lose her, but I didn't realize it would hurt this much.



I love you, Cuddles. I will miss you forever. You will always be part of my heart.




RIP Cuddles Blue Eye. 9.17.1993-6.9.2009

[Elizabeth]

So sorry for your loss....RIP Cuddles Blue Eye....

[debo-dumbo-ears]

oh Jean, I'm so sorry. Your beautiful tribute has me crying. What a long, fulfilled life Cuddles had; she was lucky to have you.

RIP & Run Free Cuddles Blue Eye!

[Michele]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

RIP Cuddles and run free. You were very much loved.

[Miakoda]

Oh Jeanine..... I'm so very sorry for your loss.

RIP Cuddles. Your friends await you at the Rainbow Bridge.

[Mollie's Nana]

Oh Jeanine, I am in tears... what a beautiful tribute to Cuddles.

RIP sweet girl, you were much loved, and will be sorely missed. Run free and play hard at the Bridge, and one day, you will be able to greet your family and show them around to where all the best water holes are. There's no pain, and no old age, in Heaven.

[Alma]

Oh no, Jean. I had NO idea you were dealing with this. Im so sorry Honey!

RIP Cuddles.

[jeoestreich]

I am sorry. Run Free

[lvedtch]

RIP Cuddles, Hugs to you Jean. Great pictures

[apbtmom76]

Jeanine, I am so very sorry for your loss, Cuddles is my FAVE in your pack. Many many hugs are being sent you r way

RIP Cuddles Blue Eye and know no more pain and know that you were treuly loved

[Turner]

Sorry for your loss

RIP

[Gatlinsmommy]

I'm so sorry to hear about Cuddles! She loved you as much as you loved her! And she lived a very long fullfilling life! She is now her puppy self that you fell in love with with her other friends in heaven.

[Zoe]

I am so sorry. Run free Cuddles.

[megschristina]

I am so sorry CHJ. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful dog.

RIP, Cuddles Blue eye, and run free!

[amanda214]

Aww, sorry for your loss. She was so beautiful all through the years.

[PatchworkPits]

I cried TOOOO!!! I know you loved her soo much, and she was a truely happy dog! You and the pack are in my thoughts. RIP Cuddles

[Dave]

RIP Cuddles

[CoolHandJean]

Thank you all. It's been tough today. I go from laughing about the good times to crying knowing she is gone.

It helps though to have so many people there for you.

[diva]

Your tribute was beatuful and has me crying as well. I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Cuddles.

[Vicki]

Jeanine, I am so sorry. My condolances to you and your family.