BJ Champaigne

JUNE 18TH, 1983 - SEPTEMBER 27TH, 1999

IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT ON SEPTEMBER 13TH, 1983 WHEN B.J. WAS SPOTTED IN THE WINDOW OF A PET STORE. SHE CAME HOME IN A GROCERY BAG AS A FAMILY SURPRISE. FOR THE NEXT 16 YEARS WE WERE BLESSED BY HER PRESENCE IN OUR LIVES. LIKE HER PEERS - ALL THE OTHER "BEST FRIENDS" IN THE WORLD, SHE PROVED TIME AFTER TIME THAT NOTHING ELSE MATTERED EXCEPT HER DEVOTION TO FAMILY. THERE WAS LITTLE DOUBT SHE UNDERSTOOD EVERYTHING WE SAID TO HER. SHE ANSWERED TO THEM ALL - "JAMS, SUGAR BEAR, JAMMABELLY , SUGAR, AND PRINCESS". SHE DEALT WITH LOSING HER SIGHT AFTER SURGERY IN '96 AND A HEARING LOSS THE NEXT YEAR WITH REAL STYLE AND SPIRIT LIKE THE CLASSY LADY SHE WAS.

AFTER A 3 MONTH BOUT WITH FAILING KIDNEYS, PAIN BECAME EVIDENT FOR THE FIRST TIME EARLY THIS MORNING. WE CONSULTED HER DOCTOR AND HE GRACIOUSLY ENDED HER PAIN BEFORE IT BECAME WORSE. IT WAS VERY HARD TO DO, BUT AFTER LEAVING US PEACEFULLY, WE'RE CERTAIN SHE'S GONE TO A BETTER PLACE. GOD BLESS YOU B.J. NOW YOU CAN JOIN YOUR LITTLE BROTHER ZOSHY WHO LEFT THIS EARTH TOO, JUST 23 DAYS AGO. OUR LOVE IS WITH YOU BOTH. YOU AND HE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

JOHN & SHARON (MOM & DAD)