When we first saw Baker, he was a matted, dirty mess of a pup that was staying in a foster home for a local animal shelter. It was a cold winter day, and we were "just going to look at him", because I was not at all convinced that we needed or wanted a dog, despite Libby's insistence. As soon as we pulled up to the address though, a gray shape streaked out of the house, up to my open car door, and Baker first did what would become his signature move for me: Front legs up on me, nose to my nose, and sniff sniff sniff. From that point on it was all over. There was no question we were taking him home, and within an hour we were driving back with what would turn out to be a salt and pepper miniature schnauzer: full of spunk, cuddles, and personality. Over the years Baker turned into our hiking buddy, our confidant, the best snuggle buddy you could imagine, and a wonderful friend to our daughters when they arrived on the scene 5 and 10 years later. He was an irreplaceable part of our family, and the hole he left when he moved on 12 years later is impossible to fill. I miss you buddy.