Unconditional Love

I am very grateful to be able to post and share about my beloved Iris who passed in 2010 on Christmas Eve in my arms. It's hard to believe just how close one can be to animals. It's about the only thing in life you can trust. The unconditional love a dog. My Iris, an American Bulldog/Pitbull mix, adopted me while volunteering at the ASPCA. She came in to the shelter, for the 3rd time around. Her newest owner said that she bit his daughter. According to the women there who knew this dog, she was incapable of biting any human, especially children whom she adored. We found out the real reason later....a baby was on way.
Iris, severely abused and at deaths door when first found, was used as a breeder for fighting dogs. When she had had enough, and refused to let a male mount her, she was kicked and beaten and left to die on the basement floor.
Weary of strangers, it took many days of gentle coaxing, but she came to trust me, and I saw this dogs potential. I took her home for the weekend to introduce her to my daughter, Caitlynn, and son Benjamin. It was love at first sight. We knew that she was meant for us.
Losing so many puppies, the vet guessed she had about 14 litters, she was possessively attached to soft, squeaky toys, and one was forever in her mouth. I decided to get Iris a puppy. I brought home with me a rescue Pomeranian, about 8 weeks old. When I set the pup down in front of her, she looked up at me, puzzled. She sniffed the female pup and then all was lost. She whined so deep in throat I thought it almost sounded human. She immediately began licking and nuzzling the puppy, whining softly with each gentle tongue swipe. It was pure, unadulterated love. She never picked the squeaky toy again.
We were blessed with Iris for 3 very short years when she was diagnosed with cancer. And when it was time for her to go, I held her in my arms as the doctor administered the anesthesia. Her beautiful golden eyes never left mine as she slowly faded away. As my tears fell on her pure white fur, I never felt such a deep, gnawing pain when her eyes shut for the last time. Even the vet, who did this all the time, cried.
I'll never forget this dog, as long as I live. When it's my time to go, I know she will be there waiting for me. On the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. I miss you Iris, you good dog, you...