Dollie
My favorite memories
Today is April 11, 2002. Today, I said goodbye to my best friend.
Her name was Dollie Elizabeth Stipp Lawrence. Our friendship started on May 13, 1990 when she was born in Brenham, Texas. She was my companion, confidant, friend and licker of all wounds for 11 years, 11 months, and 11 days. She passed on to Heaven at 11: 25 a.m. at the Westlake Animal Clinic. Her savior was Dr. Buddy Fletcher. I was by her side and she was in peace.
Trying to state was Dollie meant to me is impossible with words. It is better with memories. When she first came home with me, I was a poor college student. I saved up enough grocery money to pay for her adoption fees. My family thought I had no business trying to raise her. When I first brought her home to Dallas, my Uncle Jimmy pulled out all the stops. An entire rendition of "Hello Dolly" (the musical) with banners and balloons were awaiting her arrival. She smiled and stole everyone's heart. I was not crazy anymore.
Dollie and I have studied for finals, received two degrees, taken scuba lessons, gotten married, gotten divorced, moved 13 times, taken many road trips, cried countless tears and met the man of our dreams (her Dad). She was beautiful inside and out. She was my best friend.
Walking backwards as a puppy
Eating pickles
Tearing up our first apartment
Letting me dress her up for every holiday occasion
Trying to attack the ocean waves
Gingerbread
Take a jog down Main Street of New Iberia
Snoring and hogging the bed
Hating the TV and Computer
Attacking vacuums, water hoses, sprinklers, flashlights, well anything you pointed at her
Jumping to catch a ball more than 4 feet straight up
Beating a Labrador to a water buoy while he was being trained
Getting help when I almost cut my thumb off one night doing dishes
"Is that a pig"
Tennis Ball Cans
Biggun, Wiggles P'nub, Dollie Do Head, Do and Baby
Birthday Parties
AND
Protecting me when I was sick
Lending a shoulder when I was sad
Loving me unconditionally
Her little sister is named Bella and I know when Dollie passed her spirit entered Bella's heart. Just hours later, Bella began to sit side-saddle just like Dollie. She had never done that.
In this box, you will find her. Her favorite blankie (a handmade quilt my Grandmother made me), her raincoat, sports jacket, and formal sweater (all of which never really fit), her favorite soccer ball, her collar and leash, her records, and pictures.
Dollie is one of the most important parts of my life. I know now, she has been greeted in Heaven by Suzi, Max, Ginger, Roger, Butch, Patches, Tonya Louise and most importantly Prissy. I also know that my Uncle Jimmy, probably had the chorus waiting.