On Dogs

A note from Dan Hanson when we lost one 

It is the peculiar charm of dogs that they allow us to play many roles in an otherwise static daily life.  No matter our own place in the family structure, they can, from moment to moment, let us each be, in turn, the stern father, the understanding mother, or simply the boon companion child to their own child-like nature.  In so doing, it lifts us out of the bonds of our strict roles toward each other and gives us a freedom difficult to find at the hands of another human. They share every joy whether or not they understand it.  And there is no better companion in sorrow than a dog.  But their child-like nature is also our undoing.  Children they are, and children they shall ever be.  At best they are born charmingly retarded, and at best they do not live past late childhood.  They burn their flames brightly and we bask in that warm radiance.  And even in this world of blights and daily horrors, it still seems such a great offense that such childish love of the simple pleasures of life should be denied its due course - however brief.  The three of us are so very, very saddened by her loss, and our hearts go out to the three of you.

Marinda, Kathy and Dan Hanson

Thanks you guys!