Pain can be palpable in a variety of ways, but very visible sadness is often present when a pet passes on. You can’t cry because crying is harder, so you simply hug your parents when you hear the news because you know they loved her just as much as you did.

She raised 10 puppies with the grace and patience of many mothers, and she watched over my brother and me when she was just a puppy herself. Our antics in the backyard were often met with an enthusiastic participant in our dog. At the age of three, my brother never failed to plead with someone, anyone, to turn on the sprinklers so we could play and watch her try to turn them off, naturally filling her eager face with water without actual success.

In addition to zealously functioning as our own protector, she maintained an active presence in the neighborhood by exploring (escaping). She was the most stubborn dog. If she deemed whatever you asked of her insufficient, unreasonable, or simply undesirable, she certainly would not comply. Sometimes she would merely wait until your request happened to be her idea.

Her adventurous spirit caused her trouble more than once, and the jury’s still out on her influence on our other dogs. They certainly became a little more unruly when under her guidance. She defied all science regarding health, age, and luck -- if there is such science to prove luck.

Pets hold a piece of our hearts; certainly some grasp them just a little more tightly. I am honestly so thankful to have known this dog for most of my life. Losing anything in life is hard, but I believe that the lessons learned are so poignant. Our dogs teach us how to be selfless and excited to see almost everyone that we meet each day. Our dogs forgive us when we step on their tales or forget to play with them because we are too busy. Our dogs are effortlessly loyal and inspiringly patient, unless they’re getting a bath.

I have a tendency to be too logical and reflective, but believe me I feel this loss; I simply process it differently. I hope that if you must experience or have experienced this, that you take the time to remember the sheer joy of when you first met your pet. Remember how much they devoted themselves to you. And don’t forget the aspects of them you find endearing that others simply tolerated. Your dog might have shaped a bit of who you are. Maybe I’m romanticizing her impact, but I certainly know that she has one on so many people.

Goodbyes are neither my proficiency nor my preference, so instead I’ll just say thank you. Thank you to all the pets who are patient with us and piece together our crazy lives.