Thunder Petrey

Thunder was my sister's dog and has died a little more each day since Rhonda's passing August 5,
2007. Thunder came into this world like the thunder of God. He was one of Billy and Rhonda's first
batch of pups from their first family dog. Thunder's mama's name was Roxy and both of their birth
children, Billy Jr. and Joshua, grew up with Roxy. Thunder was the runt of the litter so Roxy
rejected him. This may have been the start of Rhonda's passion to show love to the underprivileged
and dejected which grew to encompass her much later drive to become a foster-to-adopt mom to 6
additional children. At any rate, Thunder became Rhonda's first adopted dog-child as she decided to
bottlefeed and nurse him to health.

It's funny to try and call Thunder Rhonda's dog because Thunder was born shortly after Joshua was
born, the youngest birth son of Billy and Rhonda. I watched from afar as Thunder and Joshua grew
very close which only strengthened Rhonda's love for her dearly beloved dog.

Thunder was very protective of the family and became even more so the older he grew. In his old
age, he loved sleeping near Billy and Rhonda's bed most of the day and wouldn't cause any bother
except an occasional accident here and there. It was very sad to watch him grow geriatric. This
once wonderfully playfully and exuberant dog grew blind, quiet, and almost docile -- unless he
sensed some kind of threat or emotional eruption nearby.

I remember how much he loved Rhonda. As she could no longer make the stairs to go to bed and had a
hospital bed brought into her music room, Thunder changed sleeping routines immediately. For all
the years I'd known Thunder, he claimed his dad and mom's room as his own personal kingdom...until
Rhonda grew terminally ill. When Rhonda first came home from the hospital the year she died,
Thunder kept a watchful but distant eye on her. But gradually as she was slipping away from us, no
one could prevent Thunder from leaving his throne room and entering into Rhonda's painfully
difficult letting go process. I remember how close he had to sleep near mama as her cancer rapidly
consumed her life in the short time she slept in her music room hospital bed.

Even after Rhonda died shortly after her hospice center transfer, there was no convincing Thunder it
was time to find a new resting spot. He'd simply get up to go to the bathroom, take in barely
enough to sustain himself, and then go lay back down where he chose to guard Rhonda in her final
days at home. It's understandable why he took such solace in resting in that spot, because from
time to time, the smell of Rhonda pervades the entire room -- a special fragrance she used to enjoy
wearing. Her countless musical books and piano which brought her immense inner joy and peace could
still be found in that room. Likewise, all of her Creative Memories supplies and unfinished photo
croppings are still found there. Even the computer that helped her stay in touch with people
online, plan family vacations, and manage finances is still in the same place as when she was still
with us.

Now this dearly beloved family member has passed from this side of eternity to meet with his mama
once again. I know this was one of the hardest decisions Billy has ever had to make, but Thunder
had given up on living the day Rhonda died. He wasn't living anymore --- just existing and waiting
for the day that he could once again run, jump, play, and be by his mama's side once again.
Hallelujah! He no longer suffers in the pain of old age or the pain of his grief in losing Rhonda.
Truly, the vibrant personality of Thunder characterized the thunderous presence of our once vibrant
Rhonda! Some things in life come full circle and our loss of both Thunders has shown us that!