It was an April 12th of 2010, we walked into that Petland, not expecting to come home with a puppy. We were merely there to just give those poor dogs a chance to get out of their cages and have some play time. We had done it several times before. We requested to see this adorable tiny white and brindle chihuahua. I remember her playing with our shoelaces, and wanting to cuddle. We loved that she was playful, and loving. When the employee came around to ask if we would be taking this one home, we found our selves saying words we didn’t expect. Yes she would be coming home with us. She stole our hearts and we couldn’t let her go. She was just meant to be a part of our family.
We gave her the name Frida, based off of Jenn’s love of art, and chihuahuas being native to Mexico.
In her notes from the pet store they said “Watch out she’s a jumper”. Sure enough she really could jump. Especially if another dog or a horse was on tv. Watching tv was something she really enjoyed in her youth. She jumped a little too often and too well and did a number on her knees leaving her unable to get around very easily these last few years.
She was our first pet as adults. Jenn had never even had a dog before. She made us pet parents, and forever changed who we were.
Frida liked everyone. She was always so sweet. Vets, vet techs, groomers always had such nice things to say about her. Even Jenn’s dad who didn’t think he could like a dog fell in love with her. She loved her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
For as much as she loved people, Frida wasn’t crazy about other dogs though. But when she met Pablo she was unbothered and uninterested in him which was down right friendly for her, so he came home with us and she learned to love him. She also became friends with her dog cousins.
Frida inspired us. We started a canine costume ball for her. She became part of a drawing textbook that Jenn helped to develop, and inspired other art pieces as well. We will remember her fondly for how she would grab your hand and pull it towards her to ask for pets. And how she would follow you wherever you went. She would even stand guard outside of the bathroom. When she got too old to climb the stairs to watch over us if we went up there, she somehow got Pablo to take over most of the time. She also liked to walk the perimeter of the yard . She had no idea how small and un-tough she was. She was our little protector.
We love her more than we knew we could. She’s family, and we were her people who she loved most of all. Even in her last hours she seemed to be trying to comfort us knowing we were upset about something. Our hearts are broken in a different way than all of the other losses we’ve had. She’s been such a constant for the last 15 1/2 years. We just can’t imagine what life will be like without her physically here . She will forever be in our hearts though.
Phil Collins song You’ll Be in My heart has always captured this special bond:
Come stop your crying
It will be alright.
Just take my hand
Hold it tight.
I will protect you
From all around you.
I will be here
Don′t you cry.
For one so small
You seem so strong.
My arms will hold you
Keep you safe and warm.
This bond between us
Can’t be broken
I will be here, don′t you cry.
chorus
‘Cause you’ll be in my heart.
Yes, you′ll be in my heart.
From this day on
Now and forever more.
verse
You′ll be in my heart
No matter what they say.
You’ll be here in my heart
Always.
Why can′t they understand
The way we feel.
They just don’t trust
What they can′t explain.
I know we’re different
But deep inside us
We′re not that different at all.
chorus
And you’ll be in my heart.
Yes, you’ll be in my heart.
From this day on
Now and forever more.
bridge
Don′t listen to them
′Cause what do they know?
We need each other
To have, to hold.
They’ll see in time
I know.
verse
When destiny calls you,
You must be strong.
I may not be with you
But you′ve got to hold on.
They’ll see in time
I know.
We′ll show them together.
chorus
‘Cause you′ll be in my heart.
Believe me, you’ll be in my heart.
I’ll be there from this day on
Now and forever more.
Ooh, you′ll be in my heart
No matter what they say.
I′ll be with you.
You’ll be here in my heart
I′ll be there always
Always.
verse
I’ll be with you.
I′ll be there for you always.
Always and always
outro
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I’ll be there always
Writer(s): Phil Collins