Serial dog owner here.
First dog, golden retriever. Flash, I want to tell you it was my parents fault you didn't stay with us. You were too rowdy and they had no business getting a dog like you with five young children around. With only one, being me, being a dog dog lover.
Second dog, beagle. Ali, once again my fathers love for dogs outweighed my moms decision not to have one with our crazy sports schedules that a dog doesn't deserve. That's why we gave you to grandpa in Alabama. I hope you lived out the rest of your days in fields chasing rabbits.
Third dog, Lhasa Apso, Sampsonite Gismo. I would like to tell you not to be scared of thunder storms. Please don't run away while I am out of town playing softball. I would have come home and taken care of you against that evil thunder.
Fourth dog, American staffordshire terrier, Maximus. I'm sorry I went out on that night before Christmas Eve to my annual cousins party. I hope I would have kept you from running out in the street and getting hit by that truck. You never ran outside alone. Dad said you were looking for me. And even more, it would have saved my father from doing what I know was one of the hardest things he had to do. To put you down. Fuck Christmas Eve. That year sucked.
Fifth dog, Boxer, Romeo. You were MY first dog. Not my parents dog, not a family dog. You were mine and I loved you more than you could know. Yes you peed EVERYWHERE and chewed shoes (at least they were only my sisters. Smart dog) but damn you were awesome. I just want to tell you I am happy you got to be at the home where you are with other boxers. Not my choice, but after my fathers passing and moving back home to my mothers, who was now a recent widow and taking care of my sick sister and four children, I couldn't put another responsibility on her while I was at school.
Fifth dog (read. Cat) shelter kitten, my first cat. Scratch He thought he was a dog. Fetch, played outside, cuddled like a pup. He always wanted to be outside. So we (fiancé) let him. He loved it. Never happier. This is the most (or so we thought) animal friendly neighborhood we have ever seen. Dogs, cats, everywhere. Two months later he was poisoned by a neighbor with antifreeze. Still trying to prove it. All of the other cats in the neighborhood have disappeared. I would like to tell you I wish I had kept you inside, away from harm. But you had never been happier outside. So instead I would just say I miss you.
Where we are now. Fiancé adopted Spook, collie mix. 8 years ago. I would tell her I love her more than she knows. The best ever. Love you girl
We also have another cat. He's an ass. I wish he was a dog.