I admit that this post is mostly for me. Call it therapy… grieving or whatever you like but sometimes painful things feel less painful when you address them head on. That’s my experience anyway. If you have never had a dog in your life for an extended period of time, or you are not a dog lover, this post may seem silly but that’s okay. As I said, this one is mostly for me. Today, we said goodbye to Sunny, our dog of 13 years. I thought it may help to ease the situation for me to reflect on the things I learned over that period of time and perhaps you can relate.

1. Loyalty is underrated.
2. Money is overrated.
3. At first, assume all people are glad to see you.
4. My Master will provide for and protect me.
5. Bottled water may not be worth the extra money (although I won’t resort to Sunny’s favorite).
6. A pedigree is not crucial to performing well.
7. Be grateful for the food on my plate. Even if it’s similar to what I had yesterday.
8. When stepped on, don’t wait long to come back and be loved on.
9. If you wait patiently, the people you love will come back.
10. Be excited to see the people you live with everyday. Don’t ever let it get old.
11. Get along with cats, whether you prefer them or not.
12. No matter how old you get, or how painful… get back up.
–and finally
13. I will have to work very hard to be remembered as the one who loved Susan most. (Sunny, you’re a hard act to follow!)

Sunny will be missed for sure. Thirteen years went by really fast. –And as far as the age-old question about dogs in Heaven? Well I remember God destroying the earth by a flood back in the day. If memory serves right, God saved a whole lot more animals than people. So, I’m sticking with that one! 🙂

Here’s to better days. And may God bless you richly!