Thank You

I received many kind words and warm thoughts about the passing of Hanzie, through my blog, my facebook page, personal phone calls, and text messages. 

I hadn't realized how many people knew Hanzie, and those that knew him best, had a story to tell and it usually included some laughter. He could be a little character. 

It is quieter around here without him -- and I mean that literally. But also, quieter in that his presence is not there when I look on the sofa, or the dog bed, or outside where he'd like to lay in the warmth of the sun. 

I don't fully understand why it happened, but do we ever? One minute he was barking and running around and then not too long after, he was gone. 

I think I've stopped questioning myself and what I could have done differently. I think we all do that when a loved one passes, whether it be a human or an animal friend. The task is to get through it. 

A friend wrote these words to me that she remembered a saying she saw...."Don't cry because it's over, Smile because it happened." I feel my smile beginning to return.