This was my Tasha girl in her younger years. My girl who hated water; wouldn’t so much step in and get her feet wet. But I waded out to throw balls for Tommy, and there was no way she was going to leave me out in that dangerous water on my own.

So out she followed me. I never called her or coaxed her, she just came. Oh, she tried to keep one foot raised up above that nasty wet stuff, but she just kept following me and following me, no matter how far out I waded. Finally I felt so bad for her that I turned back and went back to land. She joyously followed me back to the beach.

That was my girl. That was her dedication and loyalty to me.

Tasha, you were my good girl. How many weeks and months does it take for the pain of a bond like that to heal? I hope I did everything right by you when you became old, sore and disabled. I hope I gave you the merciful and sweet passing you deserved. Because nothing could ever repay all you gave to me — your whole self.