bentley, we met six years ago, at the time i didn't know your name. i was sitting down and the lady put you in my lap and asked "what are you gonna name him?" and i looked into those big brown eyes that were staring up at me and i said "bentley." after i learned your name i learned your birthday. July 7th, one day before my brothers birthday and exactly 2 months after mine. after i knew your birthday i had to get to know you. you were lazy sometimes, but you always had a little playful puppy in you until the very end. and after i knew you i just had to enjoy the precious time that i had with you. i remember at the cottage when my brother and i were floating in tubes you would jump into the lake, grab the rope that was attached to the tube and bring us back to the shore, you saved us, you save me. also another time you swam halfway across the lake but i swam right behind you to bring you back to shore, even though i was terrified of the slimy "seaweed" that was just below my feet. i have so many more memories of you bentley, because i love you so very much and i miss you so much and i don't know what i am going to do without you. but all i can think about right now is the rattle of the rusty, old, red truck that was driving beside us the night we had to rush you to the hospital. it's all i can think about right now, as you take your last breaths, i don't know why but that tune just keeps repeating in my head.
