1. Thank you for letting me lead on our hikes through the woods. This let me feel like alpha dog for the moment. So lead when you can but encourage others to lead on occasion. It will help them feel worthy and important.
2. Thanks for spending time with me. I loved the belly rubs, romps, petting, and yes, even the brushing. It made me feel loved when you took time to be with me. Remember to always make time to be with the ones you love. Time speaks what words can’t.
3. Thanks for letting me bring in your paper every morning. Sometimes I struggled with the bigger ones but I hoped that this blessed you each day. Try to do something each day to bless another person even though it may be hard. It will make you both feel good.
4. Thanks for letting me help you open your presents. I loved celebrations and opening presents let me feel like part of the celebration. Keep celebrating each other and rejoicing in each other’s birthdays and accomplishments. Keep building each other up.
5. Thanks for playing piano and letting me sing with your songs. This was my way of singing praises. Always sing praises at the top of your lungs. It doesn’t matter if you sing on key or not. Just belt it out. Praises should be sung with reckless abandon.
6. Thanks for loving me despite my lack of ability to retrieve. I couldn’t catch the stinkin’ frizbee and didn’t see the reason to bring a ball back to you. Seems like you’d just throw it again. I didn’t get it. Anyway, continue looking past another’s inabilities and love them for who they are.
7. Thanks for taking me on walks. I really hated walks. But, I’d suck it up and make the sacrifice because I knew it was important to you and probably good for me, too. So make sacrifices when you can. Don’t demand on getting your own way all the time. It’ll be good for you.
8. Remember to rest. You people are so busy going and doing. It’s good to sleep, relax,            stretch, scratch, rollover and rest some more.
9. Thanks for teaching me new tricks. You tried to teach me to do an agility course recently and I loved it. My body wouldn’t do much of it but I loved trying something new and working at it. You can teach old dogs new tricks, so don’t think you’re above trying something new. Who knows? It may just keep you young!
10. Thanks for training me to do tricks and obey. It was my honor to obey and my joy to perform tricks for you. It was my pleasure to please you. Remember to obey rules and do what is right. It will ultimately bring joy to you and to others.
11. Thanks for loving me despite my appearance. I know I had lumps everywhere, shaggy feet, curly, goofy hair, and a white face. But I know you loved me despite my appearance. Continue looking past others’ appearances to love them for who they are deep inside.

Thank you for picking me, for loving me, for letting me be part of your life. You were the best family a dog could hope for. It was a joy and an honor to be your pet. I can’t wait to greet you at the pearly gates some day. Until then, live life to its fullest… like a Golden Retriever!  

                                                                     I love you always,

                                                                           Lacey (AKA Bozohead)                      Jill Lord 2011