and I miss her as much today as I have all week.

I try not to cry, because all she ever wanted to do was make us happy. She was so small, but life revolved around her. The house is so empty with (just) the four of us here.

I want to think about the good times. I want to remember what a funny, happy, loving girl she was. I know (as I sit here clutching her stinky old pillow from her cage) that it’s time. I have to stop thinking about the end. Stop thinking about life without her. I have to. I need to do it for myself, but also for Hushbear and Baby.

My very wise friend, Ashlea, said to me in an email “I think the best dogs we never really quit missing, eventually it just hurts less.” So here goes.

I’m going to remember the girl who loved her Daddy more than almost anything and how happy they were together.

I’m going to remember how much she and Baby loved each other; they were the best sisters.

I’m going to remember how funny she looked under the covers with her head on my pillow…

and how nice it was to curl up with her at the end of the day.

Most importantly, I am going to remember how lucky we were to have her in our life.