We lost our dear SweetieBear a week ago today.  We adopted her at under 6 months old, and she lived a wonderful life until just after her 16th birthday.  In her younger years she enjoyed car rides, hiking the trails of Colorado and Wyoming, being brushed in the park, and guarding her family from harm.  After the years caught up with her, I became her caregiver and guardian.  We enjoyed our slow walks in the park, and the solitude and peacefulness of life at a calm and slow pace.  You were a charmer!  Everyone who met you fell in love with you!  You remained dignified and stoic through your orthopedic surgeries, physical therapy, and the "bad" days old age brought you - you took whatever life gave you and continued to be there for us as loyal as day one.  You were the best teacher for Basil, and she is the best dog because of you, her big sister.  You are so beautiful, wise, brave, soulful, dignified, and will always be my #1.  At the end you were so tired and weak, and we knew it was time to help you transition to a life without pain, where you can be free again to run through the meadows and bask in the sun!  We miss you so very much....we'll see you later my sweet girl.... Sweetie July 1997 to July 2013 Sarah Arnold (and Jeff Blackwell and Arnold family)