Dear Skittles, (aka DuckyDog, aka Brown Dog, aka Skiddels)

We already miss you so, so much. There's a big hole in the heart of our family that you left when you died, and some of us don't quite understand that you're not coming back, and look for you every time we come in from outside. Hell, even I walk in and am for a minute startled when I don't see you flopping around on the floor, all excited to see me. Chloe is a love, but she doesn't put her head in my lap and just look up at me the way you did.
The neighborhood is really sad that you're gone- every time I stop to say hello to someone they say, "Oh, is Skittles relaxing at home?" and I have to see their faces fall when I explain that you've passed on. You meant so much, not just to us but to everyone who met you. You weren't just our family dog, or Vicki's dog, or my first dog, you were like this sweet, giving presence that lent happiness and silliness to everyone in the area and brought neighbors together. Sounds cheesy, but it's true- I wouldn't have spent all summer letting Chloe play in Kelly's field if you and Boomer hadn't been friends first, or playing in Melody's pool if you hadn't invited yourself into their house the first day they moved in.
I got impatient with you a lot, and I feel bad for that. When you pooped on the sidewalk or lay down and refused to move or wouldn't let me brush you or walked too slowly, I had less-than-kind thoughts, and I'm so so sorry. I wish I'd been more patient and more willing to move at your pace. I'm so sorry that Chloe and I ran ahead of you and left you limping after us, barking. That was mean. I'm sorry I took Chloe on walks through the woods and left yu behind because you were too slow- that was mean, too. If I'd realized what I had before you were gone, I would have spent every day making sure you knew how special you were.
You were a special, special dog, and I don't think that any other dog could possibly measure up to who you were. Thanks for stickin' around for fifteen years, and I just know you're someplace where you can run again at full speed, and no one ever tries to brush you, and your coat is always flowing, and no one ever throws you in a pool and it's always snowing, but it never gets so deep that you have trouble walking through it and every night you can curl up with Tricket- who was always your best bud and who was probably so happy to see you- next to a warm fireplace (that never gets too hot like ours did,) and that everything is okay. I miss you so much, but I am so glad now you're safe and nothing can ever hurt you and that you never had a bad day. I don't know what I believe or what I think happens after you die but I know if there is anything on this planet that deserves some kind of eternal reward, it is Good Dogs.
Thank you. I miss you. I'm sorry. I love you.

-- your family