Whenever we were away from the house and on our way home, we would tell each other excitedly, like kids, "there's a 'Woogish' waiting home for us!" We'd burst in the door and make a fuss over "Woogish" –who was, of course, just as happy to see us! Thereafter, "Woogish" came to mean something happy!

Suffice it to say that any happy little furry animal is, to us, a "woogish." Lucy and Bailey are definitely "Woogishes," but this page is dedicated to the REAL "Woogish" you see pictured here!

She came gift-wrapped in soft warm fur
And all she wanted was for me to love her.
She was tirelessly joyful, but quietly content
And followed faithfully wherever I went.
Always there when I felt sad or cried
She’d lick my face until I smiled.
With her I could act like a silly clown
Running, jumping and twirling her around.
She taught me patience and how to take time
To cuddle together at bedtime each night.
I gave and she took, she bestowed and I received
We were the best friends we could possibly be.

I thought if I loved her enough, she’d never grow old
But she’d yet to teach me how to let go.

Of course, I noticed that she’d slowed down
But I thought one day I’d just come home and found she’d gone.
I never ever thought that I would be the one
To decide when her last breath would be drawn.
Everything in me said, "No! I can’t!"
But her loving doctor took me by the hand.
I saw that the very life had gone out of her eyes
I heard for myself her anguished cries.
That moment is forever etched in my mind
I had to be strong and not cry.
I told her I loved her, not good-bye.

And, so, she taught me at the very end                    
What it really meant to be her best friend.