Over the past few months, I've been posting lots of photos of the new life in our lives -- the Cassidy/Blue puppies that finally all went to their new homes last Friday. During this same period of time, we have been dealing with some medical problems with our oldest girl, Ms Annie Fay. Yesterday, she passed away just short of her 12th Birthday.

To understand how we felt about Annie, you would have to understand Annie: she was the most intelligent dog of any breed that I've ever known. She was the queen of our household and no dog ever questioned her authority. She was the girl that would trot out in the morning and get the newspaper. Frankly, I think she believed she could read it. She watched over all of us with complete confidence and all the love her big heart could hold.

I'd like to share two photos I took of her over the past few months because they show her the way she was -- full of life and full of love. The first is one I took to illustrate a story that Linda's sister, RoseAnn wrote for the magazine. Here are Annie Fay and her best girlfriend, RoseAnn.



And the second was taken a couple of weeks ago in the back yard. Annie was rolling in the grass on a warm summer morning. I took this photo and then snuck up, knelt down beside her and placed my head on her chest. We stayed that way for a good 5 minutes. And then she got up, shook herself off and said "dad, it's time for me to get back to managing the household."



Annie Fay: Ch Nordike's Ruffiann V Mobster CGC, TT, HIC, ARC Gold Producer. Our lives won't be the same.

Jim

Oh my God, Jim; I am so sorry; my heart goes out to you and Linda.

Jim, I'm so sorry about your loss. I know how tough this is. She obviously knew just how much she was loved. Hang in there guy and give Linda a few hugs! Our thoughts are with ya!

I am so sorry and so shocked!! I know this is a horrible loss to your family

So sorry Jim. Here's to wishing that our dogs could out live us.

Jim, my heart goes out to you in this sad time. May the pain of her loss be short and the loving memories flood your heart. How lucky you were to have shared your life with such a special girl.

Hi Jim,

I am soooo very sorry about your loss. She sounds like she was an absolutely amazing girl.

James

very sorry jim. she was a beautiful girl!

liz

Thank you, everyone, for your comments and condolences. It's easy to share the fun stuff in our lives -- the puppies and the show wins. For me, it's very difficult to share the pain. Doing it with people you care about somehow makes it easier to bear.

A comment to Jim Poor: no, Linda and I always toast each other with the comment that at least the dog that has left didn't have to mourn us. Being left behind would be terrible for any dog. For ours, there would be all those bills to pay. And without thumbs!

No, we hold them when they come into this world and we hold them when they leave it. And, in between, we share love, life, laughs and complete trust. It's important that they leave us and not vice versa. I couldn't bear the thought that they would be alone.

Jim

Jim - I'm so very sorry for your loss. Annie Fay looks like a wonderful girl and I know how heartbreaking losing any of our kids can be. I'll give my kids an extra hug tonight in Annie Fay's memory. And, my philosophy is the same as yours - I hold them when they come into this world and I hold them when they leave it. I need them to know they were loved beyond all reason right up to the end.