This time last month I might have told you that this slogan was as trite, and as corny as any in the English language.

This week I have had pause to consider just how significant these words have become to me.

My golden retriever and constant companion of just over twelve years, was struck suddenly, and succumbed quickly, to a form of cancer which I am now told is common to dogs of her breed.

Having lived on a farm for parts of my childhood and adult life, I am no stranger to the reality of animal mortality. However losing "Bitsy" has stuck me more heavily than I would ever have expected and has lead me to reflect on the signifigance of our bond with the canine species.

The idea for our dog Bitsy came in a moment when my nine year old son quietly and sincerely told me; "Dad ... I need a dog!" ... He was absolutely right, and Bitsy, the smallest of a litter of 14 golden retrievers, was an immeasureably better child psychologist and therapist than any of the $150/hour human variety that his mother and I had been frantically seeking out for the year prior to getting Bitsy.

The miracle of my son's recovery was only the beginning, Bitsy befriended everyone who was important to me in my life; she blunted the anger of many people who meant me less than well, including an ex-wife and a mother inlaw; she shared my love of the outdoors and explored every corner of the fields and woods through which we travelled, even the ones I could not reach myself; she engaged me in relationships with other dog owners whom I would never have had the courage to engage in on my own.

Through two homes, four relationships, three career changes and twelve years, she demonstrated a degree of loyalty, honesty, caring and dedication to family, to which we as mere humans can only aspire, but never achieve.

To this dear friend, I dedicate the following series of blog entries in the hopes that I can give back something of what she gave to me and my family during her all too brief stay in our midst.

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