Ours was an online love story. Petfinder to be specific. I saw his photo listed at Yakima Humane Society and wasn't quite ready to adopt. A month later, I was browsing dogs and there he was again. At a rescue in Yakima. I couldn't believe he was still waiting for his person. I knew immediately that I would be driving to Yakima to pick up my dog. Nearly 13 years later, the memory of him jumping up from the crowd of dogs to be seen as I pulled into the parking spot. I was his person. He was waiting for me.

We walked 5 miles a day pretty much every day for 12 years, 6 months and 20 days - nearly the circumference of the earth. He was love and joy embodied. Soulful, an equal opportunity cuddler, my constant companion. He had boundless energy wherever and whenever there was a lawn and a chuck-it ball. He could run so fast!

He taught me about patience: taking time to smell all the smells. He taught me that 5 minutes late to a meeting wasn't the end of the world and that coming home a little early to hang out with him on the couch was always the right choice. He taught one friend to not be afraid of dogs; and another how to let herself grieve. He seemed to know what everyone needed.

He was the love of my life; and I was so lucky he chose me as his person. There will forever be a Gus-shaped imprint on my heart.