I remember bringing you home. You were so small and cuddly with your tiny paws and soft fur.

You bounced around the room with eyes flashing and ears flopping. Once in awhile, you'd let out a little yelp just to let me know that this was your territory.

Making a mess of the house and chewing on everything in sight became a passion, and when I scolded you, you just put your head down and looked up at me with those innocent eyes, as if to say, "I'm sorry, but I'll do it again as soon as you're not watching."

As you got older, you protected me by looking out the window and barking at everyone who walked by. When I had a tough day at work, you would be waiting for me with your tail wagging, just to say, "Welcome home. I missed you." You never had a bad day and I could always count on you to be there for me.

When I sat down to read the paper and watch TV, you would hop on my lap, looking for attention. You never asked for anything more than to have me pat your head so you could go to sleep with your head over my leg.

As you got older, you moved around more slowly. Then, one day, old age finally took its toll and you couldn't stand on those wobbly legs anymore. I knelt down and patted you lying there, trying to make you young again. You just looked up at me as if to say that you were old and tired and that after all these years of not asking for anything, you had to ask me for one favor.

With tears in my eyes, I drove you one last time to the vet. One last time you were lying next to me. For some strange reason, you were able to stand up in the animal hospital; perhaps it was your sense of pride.

As the vet led you away, you stopped for an instant, turned your head and looked at me as if to say,

"Thank you for taking care of me."

I thought, "No.... thank you for taking care of me."

Yesterday was one of the hardest days of my life....I had to see my best friend go. I brought him home when he was only 3 weeks old, as his mother had run off and died. He was born under a car at the shop, in the cold rain. When I finally found the mother, she was up under a car giving birth, and when I saw him, I knew I was going to take him home when the time was right. Unfortunately, that time came a little sooner than planned. I did take him home, and Kathy bottle-fed him. The rest of the litter was either taken in by another co-worker, or we found homes for them.

Kathy came up with his name, Bogie, since I am a big Humphrey Bogart fan, and she said he had Bogart's sad eyes. We nursed him to health, and he grew steadily. Was always playful, and protective of us, even as a young pup.

As he got older, he started slowing down, and was having medical problems. For the last couple of years, he had stayed in the house, and didn't really want to go outside anymore, other than to take care of business, and sniff around a little. He was having a hard time getting up the 3 steps onto the one end of the deck, and even having a hard time just standing up, period.

I had to make the decision, and it was not easy for me. He was miserable, and in pain.....

We stayed with him till the end, and he went peacefully to a better place. Rest in Peace, my old Friend.....