I've sat upon the setting sun

Death is so scary. I mean you can never be ready for it. Even if that someone passing on has lived a long and beloved life, even if their passing is a result of "natural causes", even when you think you can possibly prepare yourself for that one moment in life when life ends for someone that has added such color and brightness to your universe. I mean no matter how you close your eyes and brace yourself for that impact, it always knocks your down. A few days ago someone very special to me experienced such a loss; Melissa's 11 year old dog Bailey passed away suddenly.

Though not of the human race, anyone that has been lucky enough to experience the love and enchantment a family pet brings, there is not a separate category of grief one places their death into when the tragic day comes. A pet that fits into a family and gives just as much unconditional/reliable love as it receives seems to be a sort of silent glue that holds things together in our lives. Gives you a sense of the past without being nostalgic. Gives you magic with every finger running through their hair and smile and stressful moment defused with their simple presence. Gives you something to hang your hat onto each day, that when I walk through the door, there they will be.

I will not attempt to add up all her virtues with my words, I will not try to paint the complete portrait of her; I do not have those firsthand experiences of the wonderful memories she provided her master and family. I was lucky enough to know her in her twilight and I can say a few things in certain: she was a noble dog. She was a dog of grace and charm, evidence that such characteristics do so run in the family. YetI have only this small picture of her in comparison. If you do have a spare minute, you might go here and expand the view of this special relationship. Maybe even lend a kind word of encouragement and understanding to her master and friend. For as we all know, the only things that help us escape the wave of despair a loss brings us are the helping hands of others, the magical and unique memories locked away in our hearts and the hope of reunion in a place where that special someone peeks down upon us and smiles forever.