Rachel Potter Photography | Vicksburg, MS Pet Portrait Photographer | rachel@rachelpotterphotography.com

To My Daughter Coley,

Somehow we have come to this… You, my baby, have turned five.

And since I have enjoyed so many times reading your post from last year, I have decided to make it a birthday tradition. So here are your “favorite things” of the year:

You still rock the Macaroni and Cheese out of the “blue box”, but you have expanded your horizons to Spaghettios with Franks and ABC’s and 123’s.

I just asked you where you wanted to go for your birthday dinner, and without hesitation you let me know that the Waffle House was the only place that would suit. So any of you who want to join us for birthday dinner tonight… we catch ya there!

Your favorite color made a drastic and violent turn somewhere before Christmas from Purple to Pink. You however failed to let anyone know in time and so we were met with a lot of looks like these when the gifts came out:

Your new favorite hobby is to annoy the crap out of your older brother. Sometimes I think you are trying to make this into an olympic sport. This is especially true when his friends are over. Thankfully most of the time you guys do actually play well together… I hope this lasts.

Your second favorite hobby is stalling. You have made it into an art. At bedtime, especially. Its amazing how many of your parts suddenly start aching at 8pm. When you are called on it, you smile, so I know its on purpose.

You still want to be a veterinarian or a princess when you grow up. We really need to sit down and discuss the pros and cons of each. I’m thinking we need to come up with a better plan…

Your favorite TV shows are Doc Stuffins and Sheriff Callie. THANK GOD FOR DVR!!!! Every morning starts off with some Ovaltine and Sheriff Callie on the couch.

You refuse to wear green… This too was a sudden and unforseen change. NO matter how pretty and frilly… if its green… its out. I don’t know when fashion suddenly became important to you, but O.K. I finally got it.

Your hair is still untamed. That is the best description I have for it. I’m lucky if you let me brush it. Bows and barrettes are completely out of the question.

You still occasionally mispronounce words.. and I still refuse to correct you. This feels like the last bit of little baby you have left in you. It makes me sad to let it go. Just yesterday you told me there was something bothering you in one of your “arm pips” and I just smiled. When you went to complain about your ailment to your dad, he corrected you and my heart sank. Please feel free to use the terms “arm pips” whenEVER you want to! The rest of the world will figure out what you mean and smile.

Next year you head to kindergarten. Already you are beginning to read, so I know you are going to knock it out of the park. I hope homework is not the chore with you as it is with your brother. I’m counting on it… so please don’t let me down!

So happy birthday, my dear. Let’s please try to slow down this process. Its all going by too fast.

I love you,
Your mom

Pepper,

I met you in the Columbus Animal Shelter in 1998.    It was my first summer of vet school and since I was out of the dorm and desperate for the dog that mom and dad said I could have “when I was grown” I headed out to pick one out.     I was nervous about how I would find you amongst the rows of dogs in the noisy shelter… How would I know which one was the right one?  There would be so many,  but God led me straight to your kennel and that was that.     I don’t even remember seeing any other dogs that day…

As a puppy we shared an apartment with another dog and two cats along with their 2 human counterparts.   I remember trying to sneak  you down the stairs and not wake anyone at 2 in the morning so that I could take you out to go the bathroom.    I remember when you destroyed not one but TWO single beds… ( I thought Amy was going to decapitate me AND you!)     I remember how you used to love to play frisbee, but one a lower level because your little short legs could only get you so high.. and the grunty noise you made each time you jumped and caught it in your mouth… so proud.

And even though I don’t remember the wreck, I will remember the stories the nurses and EMT’s told my parents about how I had gotten myself out of the car and was  standing on the side of I-55 asking the good samaritans that stopped “Where is Pepper??”  all the while holding onto your leash with you beside me.    And how the EMT’s put you in the ambulance with me and the nurses snuck you into the ER and hid you behind the desk until my parents came.     The only memories I have of that experience are waking up and reading a sheet of paper Mom had placed in my hand (apparently I had become pretty annoying by repeating my questions…)

1.   You were in an accident

2. You hit your head but you are ok

3. Pepper is ok

I remember how you accepted every animal I would bring home (other dogs, cats, pigs, horses, squirrels, possums, racoons) even if you were reluctant to give up more of my attention… you took it so well.    And when the babies came you were great about them too.

I will remember your little raccoon tail… it was definitely your trademark.     I will remember how you would do anything for cheese.

And I will remember that when you needed me to be strong for you the most… that I was and let you go.    I know you have fought hard to stay with us.    I would never have imagined I would have had you in my life for over 15 years.    But I can see you are tired… and you need your rest.    You have repeatedly shown me that over the last few days and with the help and prayers of so many I am ready to help you go home.    You have several of those family members already up there waiting on you…  Please give them all a kiss for me.    I love you and will miss you so much.    Thank you for being my first… there will never be another like you.

Pepper

1998-2013

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