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This was my dog, who we had to put down a while back. She represented so much in my life, was there when I first got married, when Ethan was born and then Sarenna, was with me through good times and bad. She was the most ill behaved dog you ever met, always non stop licking me and anyone she could get near. When I bought my first house, the first thing I did was recarpet one of the rooms with this bone/white carpet – she promptly found a permanent marker and broke it open and ruined the floor (which was only a few hours old). She ate one of our couches. She tore down Christmas trees, she ruined ornaments. She ate my things (or just shredded them). She tracked mud in the house. She barked enough that the cops showed up. She threw up in my car. I loved her.

When she was a puppy, my good friend Bob was over 2 days in a row helping me with something and noticed she grew in the short time he wasn’t there. She grew up quickly into a large, clumsy dog. She had a favorite toy – this little miniature soccer ball – we played fetch with it for hours. Hours and hours, she always wanted to play with that little ball. At the time I can remember growing tired of playing it with her, but now I would give anything to play for five minutes with her.

Looking back, she mirrors my life in many ways. So many wonderful memories, so many happy times and so much regret. I took her for granted far too many times. So many times I would push her away when all she wanted was my affection. Looking at my own life, so much has passed by without me noticing.

Often I would get frustrated with her .. for what? Some dumb couch or floor that can be replaced? How often do I do that in my day to day life over dumb little things? Tonight I got frustrated trying to fix a faucet – what a dumb thing to get worked up over!

This image is my reminder of all these things. My reminder to enjoy life, take nothing for granted and recognize those around me that love me unconditionally.

I miss you Pix.