Poignant tale of friendship and loss in four parts:

you didn't hear it from me, but...

Scroll down to Good Girl - Part I to start at the beginning.

[rayter]

You're a good storyteller...

[wishbone]

Seems like pretty nice stories, I'll check more later, thanks.

really nice story...

Those are real interesting stories. Keep it up!

My dad had a chocolate lab that he got some years before I was born that passed when I was about 5. I remember her as a very good girl, similar to Poppy, and this story helps me understand why my dad has absolutely refused to get another dog. Katie (his Lab), died from cancer when she was 9, waiting for me to go to bed, as she did every single night since the day I was born. My mom said she has only seen my dad cry once in their 26+ years of marriage, and that day was it.

Outstanding story. Incredibly well written.

I can certainly relate to what you said about "letting" our pets occupy our hearts well aware of the inevitable. I think about that a lot, and nearly cry in advance over it. I find a little bit of comfort knowing I took part in saving a creature not from death, but from living having never known friendship existed. It helps me to make sense of it.