My buddy is a snow angel

Tuesday, February 26.  As some of you know, I have been watching my dog, Shadow, while my ex-wife has been in Thailand.  He's been with me for probably two and a half months now.  Today, I returned him to Patty.  It's my first night without him.  I have become used to looking for him.  And as frustrated as I became some nights when he would wake me at 3 in the morning because he had to go out, I'm gonna miss him.  A lot.

Many of you all received calls and texts from me at some pretty low points during the last month or so, and as much as life allowed you grabbed my hand and pulled me back up.  All of your styles were slightly different.  Some of you personified tough love and others just let me cry if I needed to cry.  And yet others were somewhere in between.  I've often thanked you all for the support, and I'll thank you again here tonight.

But as I dropped Shadow off today, I realized that he was here for every single tear, every single dark and lonely night, every hopeless (so I thought at times) moment.  And all he did was be with me.  And listen (dogs are very good listeners!).  And be my friend.  And love me.  Every moment.  And that, I think, is love.

So today's new thing was to make a snow angel in my yard.  For Shadow, my love, my friend, my buddy, who never had anything more important to do than be with me when I needed it.  Shadow (and all the animals I've come to share my life with at one time or another), I love you.  Thank you.

Good night all, I wish you peace and happiness.  Until tomorrow.  I'm excited!