It's only been a week since Dallas died from congestive heart failure. I never knew it was possible to shed so many tears. I start to tell someone about her and my voice is gone and the tears are pouring again. Everywhere I look and everything I do there is a Dallas memory. Almost eleven years ago my wife and daughters talked me into going to look at some Golden Retriever pups. I was certain and voiced my opinion, "we did not need a dog" . It turns out no one can just look at Golden Retriever puppies, they choose one. Before we were half way home it was agreed that her name would be Dallas. She sat on the center divider in the car as if she knew exactly what to do and where she was going. By the time we got home we did not own Dallas, she owned us, or certainly me. My wife reminded me many times that "I" was the one that said we didn't need a dog. The truth is I just did not know how much I did need that Dallas dog. Over the years Dallas enriched our lives by everything she did. If I was sad she knew it and would just come and sit by me. She just always seemed to know the right thing to do. At about three years old Dallas became a mother with seven beautiful babies. A team of K-9 OBGYN's could not have done a better job. Three of her off spring would stay with us and the others went to family and friends. Of course having her now seven year old children has helped greatly . They are all as much individuals as she was. That being said there will never be another Dallas. I have had to stop several times since I started writing this. My keyboard must be water proof. We miss you so much Dallas. Your (one bark) to go outside. Your head under my hand at the end of the couch. Just to be able to rub your neck one more time I would give anything. We love you Dallas, forever.

See you again someday Momma Dallas thank you so much.
8/1/99 to 1/18/10

Steve P.