Like all things, life must go on. I am doing better and life is moving along. Sometimes I feel strange and just want to yell at people, can’t we just stop for a minute, and someone reminds me, it was just your dog, or I remind myself.

But she was more.

She was with me when my stepdad died, when JD first told me he loved me, whenever I needed a break – she always needed a walk. I know the last years were hard for her – making room and adjusting to the boys. She did amazingly well. Time with my niece when she was little helped there, I think. She understood. She always understood.

And now I understand, she would want me to move on, to love JD, to love the boys, to love Alex. To spend time with friends and family. So I will, and in doing so, I will remember her sweet nature. How much she loved attention from new guests in the house. How she knew when to take a break (and hide out in the cool dark bathroom)!

Thanks to all for the comments, support, and love both locally and long distance, in emails, on the phone, in person. This is my village and all the people I love and the Moo loved rallied around me, just as she knew they would. She was more to me and you all knew that. As crazy and different as that may be, you still supported me. It has meant so much.