Sunshine Tuttle

Sunshine was the most wonderful little creature I have ever met. She was already 5 when we found each other. I first saw her at the makeshift shelter they had set up outside the big library in Salt City. She was sitting in her pen with her little bubble tape tongue hanging out, just in her own little world. She was already 5 when I found her. We took a little walk around the court yard to see how we fit and I became her Dad right then and there. The vet who was caring for her told me that her personality will come out when you spend some time with her one on one. And it sure did. Her little vocalizations were adorable as she would talk to me with these little uplifting yelps and barks. We had many conversations to say the least. Sunshine loved running in the park and sniffing around. She loved sleeping on my bed and she would herd me to bed at night, and was my alarm clock in the morning. She was my whole world for 11 wonderful years. She was my little copilot and we went everywhere together. Sunshine was and is such a gentle soul, and so easy to love. Her little stare melted Daddy’s heart every time, and everyone she met. Sunshine had many animal and human friends. I am so grateful to have had the support of family and friends throughout the years whenever we needed help. In Sunshine’s golden years she had some health struggles, but she was such a good little patient and responded very well to every treatment. Medication became extra treats and special diets became Thanksgiving dinner every day. I’m also so grateful for all the amazing veteranarians who helped keep my little Munchkin healthy. I will miss the little things like just watching her enjoy a meal or sleep peacefully in her bed. Everything she did was adorable, and I always told her that she gets cuter every year. That little dog stole my heart. It was love at first sight and I will love my little Sunshine Bear forever. She will always be Daddy’s little girl. I could write a million words and it wouldn’t be enough. Sunshine taught her Dad what life was all about. So much of the daily struggles of life and a lot of the nonsense that goes on in our heads is just noise compared to what really matters, which is always is right in front of us. 5 months we moved across the country so my parents could help out with her caretaking and offer some support, which is when she met Grampa, and they got to spend some time together. He absolutely loved watching her, and they had their little bonding time. For them to be able to have that connection at the very end of her life means the world to me. Over the last few months of her little life, Sunshine had a hard time getting comfortable and settled for sleep in her bed, so I would pick her up and she’d sit on my lap and I’d pet her to sleep. And then I’d fall asleep. I’d trade anything to have just one more nap with my little Sunshine Bear. She is resting peacefully now.