[lisaly]

Today would have been Ashley’s seventeenth birthday, and it has been one month ago today since she passed away. We were really looking forward to this day. Every day with Ashley was precious, and we celebrated each day we had with her. Our entire world revolved around our baby, and we could not have loved her more. Ashley was such a special, loving little girl. Although she had doggy Alzheimer’s the last year of her life, she was so affectionate and responsive with us. She felt so safe and content when she was with us, and she would always cuddle up close to us. She still was such a happy little girl who still loved going on long walks with me. Her doctor remarked that he was amazed at how wonderfully she was doing a week before she passed away. I took her there for a check-up mostly every other month, sometimes more, to make sure we were doing everything possible to keep her healthy. There’s nothing we wouldn’t have done for Ashley if it was right for her. Even though we know she’s no longer here, we mistakenly keep looking over to make sure that she is safe. It is so difficult to live without Ashley, especially since everything we did and every decision we made centered around what would be best for our little girl. I am a teacher and I love my job, but it became more and more difficult for me to leave her each day. My husband would sit in a chair right next to her on the bed while I was gone so that he could be there to take care of and protect Ashley. She was rarely left alone, a couple of hours a month at most unless there were unusual circumstances with us. I kept telling Ashley that the summer was coming and that we would have our summer together. Now that summer is here, I don’t know what to do with myself without her. Summers were all about Ashley these past few years since her two sisters passed away. From the pain and love that I still feel after losing her sisters, I know she will always be a part of me and I will think of her always. We just miss her so, and I know we always will.

Happy Birthday, sweet baby girl. Run and play with your sisters, Kiwi and Gracie, at the Rainbow Bridge. Please give them kisses for us and tell them how much we still love them. I hope you meet your big sister, Jolie, and kiss her too for us. Mommy and Daddy love you with all our hearts; we will love and miss you forever. You were the best little girl, and you made us so happy.