When they leave us behind - we MUST remember the love - for that is their legacy

We've lost some larger-than-life K-9 friends these past days and we stand to lose more in the near future. What they leave behind for us to remember is much more than we were ever able to give to them when they were here near our feet. Why do we sob so hard that our body feels as though it will burst apart? Why does our heart break so deeply and clearly that cold winds blow through the broken parts? Why do we feel such a deep loss - sometimes much more than when human family members have passed?

Could it be that we will miss that unconditional acceptance and love we experienced with our partner each and every day, when we began our morning - bounding out of bed together- racing to see if the sun was shining or if it had snowed or if the rain would keep us inside - playing games to occupy our minds and to exercise our bodies 'til the sun shone once again? Could it be that we realized that no living being ever loved us as much as our dog?

Large or small. Purebred or mutt. Highly trained or little dickens. We love them and they love us. We form a bond that death cannot penetrate. Our hearts are permanently joined.

Goodbye sweet ones of the past, we mourn you still. Yet, hello, to new life and puppy breath and house training and sleepless nights - hello to the senior in need of a forever home to rest its weary head - for if you truly felt the love and if you truly remember the love - you can never, not in your lifetime, imagine living without the love.

I miss you will my whole heart and soul: Rusty, Danny, Chuck, Tony, Willow, Prince, Scottie, Savannah Leigh and Starr. You have left a deep brand on my heart - a scar I wear with pride and honor. One that I am proud to bear and proud to share and eager to receive again when the time is right and your spirit leads me to the next journey I am fated to take with another of your kind.

Goodbye dogs of my past - of our past - hello to the dogs of the future - born and unborn - sheltered or stray. Have no fear for I will find you and you will find me when the time is right and when the twinkling dog stars of the Universe lead us to each other - where we will form our eternal bond and continue the Circle of Life with each other.