Going forward

 I was doing ok this morning until I went out to the car and saw her empty collar lying on the seat. Then I lost it. She was my special girl  

I’ve still got Murphy though. He’s two years older than Belle and he’s been in decline for a while, hence my lack of posting about him recently. I’ve been expecting him to go for a while now. I’d been counting on Belle to help me get through that when the time came. But now she’s gone and he’s still here, helping me get through that. 

He misses his sister though, and it shows. 

But he’s still on the job, surveying his new domain out here. We just had a short walk in the desert, just the two of us, and I realize how much I love and value him too. 

Merida is here too of course, but she’s a different little dog  I love her just as much, but she’s no Shepherd defender of the realm. What she is though is a cuddler and a smuggler and I’ll admit I need that right now  

Ain’t gonna lie. Today’s hard  but I’ll get past it, just like I did when Lagniappe left  I know God just loans me these dogs for a while and eventually He’s going to take them all back.  If I’m good, I’ll see them again. Meantime I’m grateful for the nine wonderful years Belle was in my life.

And I’ll resume posting again, in her honor as well as the others  I hadn’t realized anyone was still reading these until yesterday and the outpouring of support. These are your dogs too, and I’ll do better from now on.