Today, I lost a very dear friend. She was the last of three that I've had to let go of in the past 4 years. Socks, my beloved childhood friend has gone on to a better place. She will be missed greatly.

She was 14 years old and had cancer. (Alas, it was hereditary)) Today, it finally got the best of her and she was too weak to even stand. We decided it was best if we ended her suffering.

She was always a good gentle dog who loved everyone. She loved fetching and chasing the broom while you swept and would lay with you in the grass just to be near you. She never barked at anything, but always talked. Not the same thing. She would howl at you if she wanted your attention, or nudge you, or paw at you. She was the only one of her family that I was able to train to give me some paw. She was good at that. I'm really missing her.

I'm going to end this journal entry with the poem, "Rainbow Bridge":

There is a bridge connecting Heaven
and Earth. It is called the Rainbow
Bridge because of its many colors.
Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge
there is a land of meadows, hills and
valleys with lush green grass. When
a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this
place. There is always food and water
and warm spring weather. The old and
frail animals are young again. Those
who are maimed are made whole again.
They play all day with each other.
There is only one thing missing. They
are not with their special person who
loved them on Earth. So each day
they run and play until the day comes
when one suddenly stops playing and
looks up! The nose twitches! The ears
are up! The eyes are staring! And this
one suddenly runs from the group! You
have been seen, and when you and your
special friend meet, you take him or her
in your arms and embrace. Your face is
kissed again and again and again, and
you look once more into the eyes of
your trusting pet. Then you cross the
Rainbow Bridge together, never again
to be separated.

Author unknown.