Dog-gone Space in My Heart

Somehow, without me realizing it, Patsy created this vast space in my heart for dogs...who are faithful companions providing unconditional love and ears for endless listening. Somehow, I had fooled myself into believing that I liked dogs but only really loved Patsy and when she was gone I would be able to go about my daily living without a faithful companion until the time would be right to add another. What a foolish thought. My grief and emense saddness in the 5 days since having lost our beloved Patsy-girl is not for being sad for her because I know that she is in a better place. She is now residing on the other side of the rainbow bridge where her joints no longer ache because they are restored to their youth so she can freely run and jump with ease. She is no longer tired and plays with all her Golden happiness. She eats popcorn and there are pleanty of ice cream cone ends for her to finish. She cuddles and watches over our baby angel, Kristofer and has greeted Amy's Grandma Pete with her wet nose and tail waggs. She is happily passing the time playing with her other doggie friends who have crossed the rainbow bridge before her. They run through woods and laugh and play in meadows while chasing squirrels, bunnies, and birds who are sometimes caught only to be released for the chase again. She is passing the time until she will greet us again. So my saddness is not for Patsy...she is in a happy place...my saddness is for the vast empty hole that has been left in my heart because my companion is gone. Patsy created this huge space in my heart for dogs and she decided that it would only be fair for her to hold a small piece of it for herself. Patsy knew when we were sad and although she did not like saddness, her way of helping us feel better was to be with us...the same way she loved to be with us when we were happy. I know in my heart that Patsy doesn't want us to be sad. She wants us to have another companion to share our love with and give a happy life to. She also told me, "No puppies." I agree, Patsydog...no puppies. She says we should make a life better for someone who has had it kindof rough. I used to wonder how someone could go right out and get another dog after just having lost their companion...I don't wonder anymore. I foolishly thought that maybe our life would be easier without the responsibility of a dog companion once Patsy was gone. Now I am finding life to be much harder without one. So 5 days after our sweet Patsy-girl has left us here for a happier place, we have filled out an application to adopt a beagle from a rescue. I trust that Patsy will help guide us to the right companion for the next stage of our lives.