Thanks to my YT Family

Ahh, where do I start? The outpouring of support and sympathy has hardly slowed since we lost Jack on Sunday. I'm overwhelmed, flattered and, if possible, even more proud of little Jack. I knew he was special, I knew he was popular, but I had no idea he genuinely touched so many lives.

I did some quick math yesterday: On the Internet alone, we've received about 500 notes of condolence. I've read every single one, sometimes two, three, four times. Each one has lifted my spirits, and many brought tears that I needed to cry. Same for my wife, Kelly.

I've tried and failed to write people back, to tell you that your words have touched me like never before. But there aren't enough hours in the day.

I hope no one takes it as a lack of appreciation. So many of you I count as friends, and I can't write one without writing another, and another, and another ...

So thank you. Yes YOU. Each and every one of you who offered your condolences or told me what Jack meant to you. The thoughts. The poems. The memories. The donations in his name. The pictures. The slide show. I appreciate them all equally, and each one has made me just a little bit stronger.

I hope you understand and no one feels slighted that I didn't tell you that personally or didn't answer a question.

Also, I hope no one feels slighted at the overwhelming support we've received. Too many of us on YT have lost dogs, and each one of them was just as special as Jack and the loss just as heartbreaking. I've never met a Yorkie that wasn't absolutely perfect. The only difference is I've been on YT a long time and promoted him with hundreds of pictures and videos. His life was familiar to a lot of people.

That said, I've got some cool pictures to share of some gifts that came in the mail with cards that said simply, "From your YT Family."

First, there were some gorgeous flowers that brightened our home. Then, today, a basket of treats for Eddie and Rusty.

I have to share the story about the latter. Someone from out of state looked up dog-treat businesses in Anchorage and e-mailed a business in my city of 300,000 people. They said something to the effect that "A friend has a Yorkie who just died, and we'd like to get something nice for his other dogs."

The vendor, one of probably a dozen they could have reached in town, replied back, "You mean Mike and Jack?"

I couldn't help but smile when a young woman I've ordered treats from before came to my place of work with a huge basket stuffed with her best homemade treats, chew bones, a book, a treat bag, a clean paws towel, a nice homemade card and more. You couldn't have picked a better person to order from. She'd met Jack on numerous occasions, and her dog, Skipper, was one of Jack's best friends.

So thank you, YT Family. You are amazing.

Love, Mike & Kelly

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