For anyone who has lost a dog...

Which is all dog owners, save those who have had their own lives tragically cut short...

Brigid has a memorial to Barkley who passed yesterday.

  There is much that dogs do not understand,  but they comprehend pain, even if they do not know why  and they look to us, their companions for help. I can understand the pain of the realization when the best thing you can do for your best friend is to release them from their pain.

Sometimes our best is still tragic.

For me it was Bob.  A delightful talkative Brittany Spaniel. I got him when he was a puppy no bigger than my shoe.  Had him through high school,  was separated through university and grad school, and was reunited with him out in Indiana for one last year.

   Brigid,  I'm truly sorry for your loss. He was fortunate to have you as a true friend.

Edit: Erin's got a very touching poem up.  The third to last stanza really hit me.