Goodbye my Chewy - I'm going to miss you

My first Yorkie I got passed away yesterday at the young age of 6. After being sick for a few weeks and only getting worse, all that we could do was to put him out of misery and have him put to sleep. :( We aren't sure what made him so sick, and neither did the 25 (yes 25) doctors who ran tests and examined him up at CSU's animal hospital.
Chewy (short for Chewbacca) came into our lives December of 2002. Jeff and I were not yet married, I was living at home with my parents, and had been going through a rough time after a car accident and having to leave school. I had been wanting a Yorkie for years and it was the perfect time to bring him into our lives and our hearts. And take over our hearts he did. I'm not saying he was the best dog ever to live, in fact, he was stubborn and at times acted like a grumpy old man. But we loved him. We loved his stocky frame, short legs and his tongue that seemed to be too big for his mouth. We loved that as soon as you bought him a new squeaky ball, he had to rip out the squeaker, we loved that he expected to get a treat every time he went potty. We loved Chewy. Every little bit of that dog. Forever.
So I had to post a blog to honor my Chew Chew. And to post this poem I had been given when my hamster (I get very attached to all animals, big or small) passed away. If any of you have ever lost a beloved pet, this is a beautiful poem to remember them by.

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

In Loving Memory Of Chewbacca "Baby" De Herrera

September 2002 - January 2009

I Love You Chew Chew