Photo of Ripper and Boo, my lifelong companions. Taken the year of the huge snowstorm, in which we could not escape the enormity of the cold. Seen here cozy in front of the fire on the coldest winter in Washington state in years. The companionship given by my animals far exceeds that of humans. I carry them in my heart forever. Thanks to the wonderful veterinary care they received Boo lived to be 13 (the black lab) and Ripper was 18 years old.

Melrene W.