Dear Tamino,
Who would have thought it? In the beginning, it was only my wife who wanted you and then you quickly became, alongside her, my most important friend and most loyal companion.
Together we walked thousands, no - even tens of thousands of kilometres across meadows, through forests and up mountains. You always listened to me, whether I was laughing, crying or just talking. And I always talked to you a lot. Even if you never answered, it was always as if you understood me.
You always followed me, even when the path became increasingly difficult for you. I'm thinking in particular of the densely overgrown forest floors, where the wild brambles caused you a few problems. But that never stopped you from standing exactly where I stood.
You had many rough edges, just like all of us, but that's what made you such a special dog that will never be seen again.
I could write so much more now, because we experienced so damn much, but I just cry too much when I call up my memories.
The last few days and weeks have been very intense and we have spent much more time together than perhaps in the time before and I am so glad to have done so.
Two weeks ago, on Saturday 19 April, all three of us (Dexter, you and I) were still out in the forest and everything was as usual. You were slower and had your problems, but who would have thought that 6 days later you would no longer be with us. Although you still are and always will be.
I thank you for every moment we spent together over the past 12 years. I was always afraid of this moment and now I know why. A part of me is now empty and my heart is a little bit broken. They say you are so-called ‘life stage companions’, but you are so much more.
You've just gone ahead now, I'm sure we'll meet again.
Your ‘master’ Stefan
Tamino 20.11.12 - 25.04.25
