07/26/2026
I’m so sorry for the length … but I owed this to her.
To my Millie -my little girl from Oklahoma. I just felt like you deserve this sooner than later. We have reached the abyss of heartbreak today.
We got you almost 5 years ago. We went to your rescue in Oklahoma knowing we would return home with one new family member and came home with two. You were the sweetest little girl just lying in the front unfenced yard of your foster moms home so content. Every ounce of you looked grateful to be loved. Shortly after you had arrived into rescue pregnant, you had a litter of puppies and acted like one yourself. You were the best momma. Your rescue gave you all the love and care you needed to start your new life going forward. We came along and instantly loved you little girl. Your puppies would go on to find their homes fast and we were thrilled to welcome you home. We whisked you back to Minnesota and your new life, and even though I wanted you to live with us, my mother wanted you to be with her and become your new sister’s best friend as she was losing her brother from so many years due to illness.
Fast forward, your mom needs to move into a place where you and your sister get to come, live and be loved daily by us. We were so excited to get you both, so lovable, easy and sweet. Last year, after a long life, your sister would pass away in my arms.
Yesterday, my sweet girl, you lived to run at the farm and follow every scent, tree little animals, play all day at any wood pile you find, run alongside me and the horses on trails always breaking off for your daily adventure to the pond or some little grove of trees to explore all the hidden places you discover every day. You love life and return out of breath, needing a bath and waiting for dinner. You never asked for much as you have always been so patient and wait to greet us last after all the others receive their pets and kisses. Occasionally I would get special moments where we could cuddle or travel somewhere alone. One where we could stay close without having to share it with anyone else.
Your adventures all over the farm for years always made me worry knowing what could happen. Your collar let me spy into your world just trying to keep you safe.
Your trails told your story everyday in the pages you filled with your adventures.
Today I feel like I let you down. This morning at our home away from the farm, I put you outside, in our fenced yard, like any normal morning. Fences can only provide so much safety. I always let you and one other smaller sister out first just in case there are deer because I know, being the smaller heeler mix you are, you have a warrior’s heart which has always made you brave and strong inside. I knew you would warn all intruders to go before your sisters and brother were on their way.
Your two bigger sisters followed trailing 20-30 seconds behind you and are always muzzled due to their prey drive with deer inside the fence. Today it wasn’t just a deer.
It must have happened so fast. The deer couldn’t run and had been attacked earlier by coyotes that came over the fence into the yard. Our Millie met them first. Too big in heart and mind yet still too small to fight them off. The coyotes ended her adventures.
It is hard not to feel regret when her sister, our Dane/Mastiff mix, who came home with us on the same day Millie did from Oklahoma, could have given her protection and just couldn’t get there fast enough.
When Millie’s biggest sister returned her muzzle was shredded and it looks like she must have tried to help, but sadly it only took a second for instinct to kick in and take our vibrant, adventurous Millie’s life. Even though it’s not helpful I’ve asked myself so many what if’s today.
Love your sweet companions. Cherish the time you get with them. She is the only precious companion in our family that I wasn’t with when she passed. Of all the companion animals I’ve had in my life, I’ve been fortunate to love and have incredible adventures every day with them and was fortunate to be there to say goodbye when they moved on. Not today.
I hope to ride with you again someday sweet Millie. I owe you a huge hug and kiss when I see you again. 💔 Good Night little love
