Freeway

by Tracy
(Stockton on Tees)

Freeway was a yorkie who came into my life six years ago this month. He was six years old and homeless. It was love at first sight.

At the time, I was feeling really down. My only child was grown up and I missed having someone or some thing to care about. Then came Freeway. He just fit straight in, no problem. Apart from work, I never went out before he came along, and now we were going on long walks three times a day, which we both loved.

He filled such a big hole in my heart and life. he never left my side. I used to call him my stalker because he followed me everywhere. Two years ago, my beloved dad died and I do believe Freeway got me through that. I couldn't just mope in bed, he needed me. His walks became my therapy as I did a lot of crying then.

He was diagnosed last year with a collapsed trachea and enlarged heart, but with medication he was okay. Tuesday night he was coughing a lot but Wednesday seemed to rally round. Wednesday night he started to breathe funny so took him to the vet Thursday morning.

She said he was in heart failure and was not going to get better. So he was put peacefully to sleep in my arms.

I did not think it was possible to cry so much. Freeway was not just a dog, he was my baby and my life. I am heartbroken. I hope he knows how much I loved him. Freeway was my first dog and my last. I feel he was sent to me for a reason. We needed each other. Now I have to carry on without him.