About a Dog, best friend, beloved family member,

It is with a heavy heart that I even begin to write this...it has been just over a week since my family and I lost our beloved Mickey boy, a robust 16 year-old pup that has filled our lives with so much happiness and love that it will most certainly last beyond our lifetimes...living on through our memories, photos, stories that we will pass from generation to generation. Mickey enhanced our lives profoundly for the last 16 years and we will never ever forget him.

Personally, I have been wrought with a lot of guilt and regret that I wasn't able to fly home in time to California from the UK for the passing of my best, and most treasured, friend due to the drastic change in his circumstances and due to worries over coronavirus and the safety of some of my health compromised family members. As a family, we had to make one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make...to let our Mickey go. We take solace in the fact he was able to go peacefully, at home, surrounded by everyone that truly loved him. Thankfully, I was able to take part through FaceTime... but as you can imagine, it just wasn't the same. How do you say goodbye to your best friend, and a large part of your childhood, without being there to comfort, support, and kiss him goodbye? I will never know.

In my deep reflection this past week, I realized that not all dogs are as lucky as Mickey was and were never even given the opportunity nor potential to grow into a beloved best friend. It is heart-wrenching to even think that someone's Mickey is out there and we only just need to give them that chance to be seen, nurtured, connected, and loved...

I have chosen to donate all funds raised through Mickey's page to IAPWA because I have volunteered for this international animal welfare charity before, and have seen how much love and care goes into what these beautiful hardworking individuals do. IAPWA carries out incredibly vital work for animals in need and provides veterinary teams to local sanctuaries, education to children about the importance of animal welfare, facilitates the development of humane neutering programs and the finding of forever homes through their adoption program, the list goes on and so does their list of animals helped worldwide.

And lastly, to Mickey:

'Our sweet handsome boy, my best friend, and the eternal love of my life. We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to love you and to grow up with you right by our side. We are so proud of you and so grateful for you having the strength to just make it to your 16th birthday. You are irreplaceable and it breaks our hearts, I am so happy that we found each other and that you were such a special part of our family.

We miss you more than you could ever truly know, we love you beyond any earthly measure, Mickey, and look forward to the day we will be reunited again, in this form or another.'

Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read my family's story about the profound and everlasting effects animals have on our lives; any contribution no matter how small or great will be incredibly appreciated and valued. I am beyond grateful for your help in making the lives of other dogs one step closer to being loved as our Mickey was, and is, to us.

Please feel free to share this story with your circles and if you have your own story to share with a furry loved one to make our hearts a little less heavier, please let us know. Animals are such a wonderful gift to us all xox 

With love,

Theresa + the entire Murphy Family.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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