On May 28, 2012 my beautiful twelve and a half year old Pretty Penny began to show symptoms of a sickness. 4 days later and after a trip to Angell Memorial we helped her the only way possible and that was to send her to doggy heaven.
Penny was an amazing dog with such a gentle nature and kind spirit. She would always greet me at the door with her tail wagging a mile a minute and her signature “Elvis” face with her lips curled up to smile. She’d then turn, run and retrieve a toy, pillow or whatever she could find even if it was one of my sneakers and bring it right back to me! She would do anything to get the attention that she so very much deserved.
I took Penny everywhere. She was my partner at work, my wing-woman out and my teammate at soccer. I’ll always remember her sitting on the bench cheering our team on and if I didn’t bring her somewhere people would ask where she was, if she was ok and why she wasn’t with me.
She left a lasting impression with everyone she met and was not only my best friend but she was always our family of dogs best friend and the leader of all of us.
I’ve had a lot of up’s and down’s since loosing my baby girl but from all of your support I’ve began to focus and realize I shouldnt cry, rather i should smile and be happy when I think of her.
The support you’ve showed me emotionally through cards, poems and just by extending your condolences has helped me tremendously and I’d like to return your compassion back to you or anyone you know that has suffered from the loss of a beloved pet.
Penny went from perfect health to doggy heaven in less than 4 days. We only had 36 hours to spend with her after learning of her illness so if you can do any one thing for me, all I would ask is for you to please cherish the time you have with your pets because you never know when they’ll no longer be with us.
Love your animal and human family and friends. You’ll always be my brown eyed, bad breath, beautiful blonde bitch 🙂 Love most of all your daddy.
Welcome home Dad!
No matter what time of day or night, whether tired or awake
I’ll always greet dad with all the kisses he can take!
With my best friend Lilly by my side
Dad you can run but you can’t hide!
We’ll chase you all around the house
Like a crazy cat chasing a mouse!
We want some lovin’. We want some food
Even if you’re tired or not in the mood!
We’ve been waiting patiently for you all day,
Now it’s time for you to stay and play!
I know you think we always act silly,
But that just your girls, ❤ Penny and ❤ Lilly!
Lilly the Hero Pit Bull 
David and Lilly, this brought me to tears (again). I can totally feel your pain in losing Penny. A week and a half ago we also had to send our 12-year-old Akita, Rio, to Heaven. It was a very sad day in our home and we miss her greatly, as does our 1-1/2-year-old Pit mix. I keep reliving that day and wish I could just bring her back, but I can’t. “If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to Heaven and bring you back again.” A lot of people don’t understand the bond pet owners have with their pets, but the pain we feel when we lose one is just as real as the pain we feel when we lose any family member.
God bless you, Lilly, and your mom for the work you have put into the change the stereotypes of Pitbulls everywhere.
David,
What a beautiful tribute to Penny. I know how much you, Lilly and your family miss her. My heart still breaks for you at how quickly she was taken away. I’m glad you all had that special time to spend with your Pretty Penny. I know it’s never enough time, but you will never forget it or her. You are so right when you say to cherish the time we have with our beloved pets, losing them is so painful. They are part of our family, they are always there to greet us and love unconditionally. When they are gone there is an emptyness in our lives.
I’m glad now that when you think of Penny you are able to smile, that is what she would have wanted. She loved you and wants you to be happy. You will never forget her, she will always have a very special place in your heart. I believe she would thank you for the wonderful life you gave her full of love and fun times.
Penny is watching over you and Lilly and I’m sure she is bursting with pride at all you two have accomplished.
Lilly has been through so much and now to see her happy again is wonderful, she has worked so hard.
David you have been through so much too, and you have come through it and done an amazing job.
Now together you and Lilly will continue to do amazing things, educating people and changing the minds of many, all to help other wonderful dogs who are deserving of the love that you have given to Penny and Lilly.
Yes David and Lilly, Penny would be very proud of you all, she will continue to be by your side in spirit. She may be gone but she will never be forgotten. ❤ ❤
Jan
I lost my dog in March of this year due to old age. I had her from time she was 8 weeks old (I was 5) until she passed away in March at the golden age of 16 (I was 22). I do have two other dogs but Kimi was my first dog and she will always hold a special place in my heart. I hope Penny has a special place in your heart.
I know I will love you too Penny!….I hope you are playing with my Fletcher,yellow Lab……lost him Oct 2011. Love my Fletcher..:)
God bless you David for loving your babies so much! Love you Lilly!!!!
Every dog I have owned through out my life has left a special paw print on my heart. Each one was special in their own way and will live on in my heart. I am blessed not with a beautiful pit bull named Titan. I am grateful for every day he is in our lives as I know that some day he will leave us. You and Lilly do such great work in educating people on this wonderful breed. I am sure Penny is watching over you all and is so very proud of the voice you have given all dogs.
That was beautiful; and your thoughts are so true. It was a difficult decision to get another rescue Boston Terrier after we lost our Shadow. We decided to get another, and would be the best parents possible. However, we would never Love another like her. Our little boy (named Wodahs, after our girl) arrived a very sick little boy. We nurtured him and trained him. And after a short time, we were looking at his antics and said to one another…You know something? He has somehow wormed himself into our hearts! They are two different dogs, very different personalities, but loved equally. We still remember our Shadow girl, as we refer to her, quite often. Always with a smile and little tug at our hearts. But in the here and now we have our little ball of fire Wody to keep us young and smiling. So keep on remembering, even as you make room in your heart for more love for others. Off the subject, but, our Wody was put on a diet, and given a “Lickety Stick” by the vet. 10 licks / calorie! I laughed and said no way. Yes Way! He loves it! I noticed you using one as well. I am sure to keep the weight down, with everyone feeding her and not needing the extra weight put on Lilly. I WILL meet you one day, I promise!
That was beautifully said. My best friend, Mally, turns six years old in two weeks. I often find myself panicking about her age because I just can’t imagine living without her. In the almost six years we have been together she has taught me so much, but most importantly she has taught me how to love, and how to be a better person. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have been blessed with this life full of unconditional love. She is my world as I can tell Penny was yours. Penny is such an amazing dog. I can feel her love and amazing energy just exploding out of her pictures and videos. Penny and Lilly inspire me to be a better mommy to my Mally, and often remind me of just how lucky I am to be loved by my best friend. Thank you Penny for always bringing a smile to my face. Your sister, dad, and the rest of your family and friends have the best guardian angel looking down on them now. Love you Penny! Love, Lynne and Mally (rufff* rufff*)
David,
What a beautiful tribute to your Lovely Penny. I too had to help a pet to Rainbow Bridge. I never thought her visit to the Vet would be her last. As hard as it was I new it was the right thing to do, looking into my Fresca Baby’s eyes I knew she was ready to go.She was my first dog, my heart broke to pieces.When I went home from the Vet,there waiting for me was Zoe my other dog. I was so swept up in my own feelings of loss,that I didn’t realize that my Zoe’s heart was broken too. My God she was so depressed, she missed her sister, her best friend. I decided right then and there I had to do all I could to help Zoe deal with her loss.
Some people might say “it was Just a dog” Are you kidding!!! Fresca was a family member and just as important. She made me laugh, she would comfort me when needed, she was a love and she was loved. Then when someone would say Zoe was depressed, “she’s just a dog” Again, are you kidding?
I wish some people could understand that when you have a dog and you treat them with love and respect, you get that back. Their love is endless.They have feelings!
I am so happy that you and Lilly that sweet wonderful Pit,are trying to get people to understand that a Pit Bull is a wonderful, loving, dog. They truly need to stop blaming the breed. Any dog no matter the breed can be aggressive if raised by the wrong people. I look forward to seeing pictures of your beautiful Lilly, Penny and Loving family.
The pictures of Penny & Lilly, you could feel the love they had for each other. Penny was a beautiful dog and you could tell how much she loved her Daddy & family. We both lost a pet, a loving family member… if we continue to give and show our Love & support to our pets here on earth, our furry friends we have lost to Rainbow Bridge, will be okay and we will meet again.
Thank you David for sharing your Penny and Lilly
God Bless,
Jacqui
wow what a beutiful tribute to a beutiful furbaby. i didnt know penny and lilly but im sure her sister is missing her lots. she has really left an impression on everyones hearts and in their minds. rip penny until you all meet again at heavens gates where she will be waiting to kiss you all
I also had only 3 days with my beloved Cassie before we had to put her down on September 4, 2012. Worst 3 days of my life knowing what was to come. She was a golden lab/mix and she was 15 years and 9 months old..I got her from the pound at 9 months. She picked me that day just as sure as rain…She was not a whiner, not even when she got hit by a car, but she whined when I walked away from her cage and I was hooked from there! I have cried every day for 6 weeks and 3 days. I will never get used to the quiet in this house or the empty spot in front of the fireplace where she slept for sometimes 20 hours a day in the last months of her sweet life. I took a walk the other day on our old path alone for the first time in 15 years – rough. I have so much to be thankful for but the sadness is overwhelming. Time will help I suppose. Bless you and your beloved Penny. I had a talk with Cassie a couple of days before and I told her to wait for me at the Rainbow Bridge – could there really be a heaven and such a place? I hope so indeed!
Wow I can’t tell u how much ur post touch me. Just last night I put a pic of Lilly on my fb page and a tribute to her and all pitbulls. I’m so sorry about ur Penny it sounds like u loved each other beyond words. I know what its like to lose a beloved pet to me its like losing a child for that’s what my pets r to me. I think animals r one of the greatest God gave us and I am thankful everyday for that. Thank u so much for sharing about ur precious Angels Penny and Lilly u have touched my heart and bought me to tears but I’m glad u have had the love of these sweet babies. May Lilly live a long and healthy life.
David and Lilly, This was the best tribute I have ever read ! I did have to go get a box of tissues for all my tears but I have to say “This was BEAUTIFUL” . I am dreading the day I have to experience one of my dogs passing. I know I can’t stop it but I will truly be a mess. I have 3 dogs and health wise I haven’t had good luck with them. This is also my first experience with dogs and medically it’s been horrible. I am constantly at the vets or emergency places on weekends with one of them.They are now 3, 7, and 8..My 8 yr old has many problems… I am grateful he is still here with us but I also no it’s just a matter of time before he is visiting with Penny..Lilly , I sure hope Penny takes good care of MY “RUFFLES” the way she took good care over you and watched over you making sure you were going to be ok.. Penny is a beautiful dog and I’m sure you miss her but I’m sure she is above looking over you Lilly and your daddy !