The Merrill Family: My Archie

Yesterday we said goodbye to our friend Archie. He was sick and it wasn't getting any better. We found out that he had valley fever after he starting loosing weight drastically. He was started on medication but it wasn't helping. He finally stopped eating. His legs shook when he walked, he couldn't get on the couch by himself, he couldn't hop over the baby gate like he used to, he fell out of the car and he couldn't hold his bladder anymore. He was suffering. I couldn't fix it.

I WANTED TO FIX IT. I WISH I COULD HAVE.

Watching him go was traumatic. I keep picturing it in my head.

2 weeks ago he had energy. He was thin but he was still Archie.

Today he is gone.

He has been gone for just over 24 hours.

I miss him desperately.

We had him cremated and will get his ashes next week.

We changed around our bedroom because I kept waking up to check on him and he wasn't in his spot by my bed. It was too hard so we needed to cover his spot. It feels a little better.

I wish he was here laying his head on my lap.

I'm going to miss my running partner. I'm going to miss his snoring. I'm going to miss him cuddling with me while watching a movie. I'm going to miss walking to school with him to pick up Cayson.

It finally hit Cayson last night. He sobbed. He misses Archie too.

We talked about all our good times with him.

We sang "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, As long as I'm living, my Archie you'll be."

We cried while we sang it.

Tonight Carly told me she misses Archie and asked me to sing the song again.

Every night I tell her she is my best girl. Tonight she told me she is Archie's best girl.

We told them that Archie is in heaven and that he is waiting for us but he will always be with us because he is in our heart. Right now my heart is aching but it will heal.

Archie,

I miss you, my friend.

My heart is broken without you but I know you are not suffering anymore.

I wish I could have saved you.

I'm sorry I failed you.

Thank you for loving us so much.

Thank you for bringing us so much happiness.

You were such an amazing dog and you can never be replaced.

You will be forever in my heart!