You were not there snoring beside me last night, so I cried. You didn't flap your ears and nudge me to wake up at our usual time today, so I cried. You didn't thunder down the stairs when you heard me in the kitchen today, so I cried. You were not watching me from your bed as I tried to work from home today, so I cried. Your feet weren't running against the wall making scratching noises while you slept today, so I cried. You didn't remind me it was feeding time at 3 pm sharp today, so I cried. You were not there to walk our trails together so I went alone today with your leash draped around my neck, and I cried. I've cried so much it aches, and just when I think I'm ok for a bit, something else reminds me that you're not with me and I cry some more.

My dear, sweet, baby boy, you came off your chain after 5 cold, miserable years, and then gave me 7 more wonderful ones. You beat the odds for large breed dogs and lived to the ripe old age of 12, and you still acted like a puppy right until the end. I made it my mission in life to keep you safe from the demons of your past, and I know you trusted me completely. No matter what your body was doing, your spirit could not be broken. I love you and will miss you terribly.