I can’t believe its already been two years since we helped you gain your wings Smokey B. I remember: your decline was slow over the years but you went down so quickly at the end. I remember: our last two walks together. Your hind legs collapsing as we headed down the stairs. Your slow, stiff walk. You stopped more than once and stared into space, until I encouraged you to move on. But then we met a woman, coming toward us. You veered unsteadily, straight at her, cut her off, greeted her with tail wagging. You were so far gone, but you never stopped loving meeting new friends. I remember: when the vet came to help you leave the body that no longer served you. You greeted her too, like a long lost friend. You perked up so much I questioned my decision. These last memories make me so sad, they make me cry. My heart breaks again thinking of you, so diminished. But I am also grateful, for those last hard days, and for all the better days we had before we parted ways forever. I am a better person for sharing my life with you. 
You were Mr. Exuberance. I remember: you were returned to the shelter because you had “too much energy”. You loved everyone you met and they loved you back. You never stopped jumping on people, or trying to stick your tongue in their ear, but no matter what you did they loved you. I remember: walking to work one morning and how determined you were to meet this one guy, a total stranger, pulling me toward him as if he was a magnet. I remember: watching you run through the fields. It was, cliche as it sounds, like watching poetry in motion. You moved so beautifully I was convinced you were part exotic hound. Pharaoh? Sloughi? You galloped, bounded, pronked, and leapt your way through life. That was your lesson for me: greet life each day with exuberance, joy, and an open heart, and you will receive it back tenfold! Thank you for the lesson my sweet boy. I needed it and I am still learning how to live it. You are always in my heart Mr. B. 
