It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I share what I thought I would never have the strength or the courage to do. On Thursday November 24, 2005 at 5:30 pm, I let my gentle giant, my beloved Bullmastiff Tyson cross the Rainbow Bridge. It was the most difficult and selfless thing I have ever done and I never imagined that I could hurt like this.

In August 2005, I started to see my once awesome boy, slowly lose quality of life, his dignity dwindling. We found out that it was cancer, which started with skin lesions and then spread to his lynphnodes and internal organs. The prognosis very grave. Some would have chosen to prolong the inevitable, but as I thought about what a Bullmastiff is…….what my Tyson was, I made the decision that it was time.

So, I lay on with him and held him tightly in my arms as he drifted peacefully off to eternal sleep. I told him Mama loves you, that I was sorry for his hurt and I promised him that I would never forget him. He taught me so many lessons and I have so many beautiful and amazing memories of our life together.

I cherish the 10 yrs 5 months and 1 day that I had with him every moment, a blessing. It was an honour and a privilege to love him. I am humbled when I think of what an impact he has had on my life.

He was a gift from God, a fur-angel. I always have thought that our loyal and treasured dogs are all Angels sent here to earth to love, support and help us in our life journeys. By doing this, they are earning their "wings". I sincerely believe that my Tyson earned his Wings and so it was truly his time to return to spirit.

My heart is broken and I will miss him all the rest of my days. So, today and everyday I light a candle for my beloved Tyson. I celebrate his life and thank him for choosing to share his life with me. I find peace and solace in knowing that we will meet again in spirit.

Godspeed my special boy, I want you to know that “I loved you best” ~Mama.

Tyson was also adored and will be forever missed by his Dad-Howie, his cat - Bee-Boop and his little "herd" of Frenchies...Franklin, Maggie and Zoe.