My first poodle was named Maxie. About three years after she passed I had a dream. Maxie was swimming toward me underwater. We met in the middle and she kissed me right on the lips. I was ecstatic for several days! And after that I started thinking more and more about getting another poodle. I got Phoebe for my birthday…my own gift to myself. What a joy! She was four months old and I could carry her in my jacket. She was am absolutely adorable puppy – playful and rambuctious and full of poodle antics. I lived in Norfolk at that time and she would often come to work with me and sit in my chair. I worked long hours as Director of a shelter for homeless families and she was the perfect companion. She loved walking on the beachfront in Virginia Beach – up and down she raced chasing the tide so as to not get wet. Walking in Seashore State Park was also a favorite. She slept with me and she often wanted to get under the covers to cuddle. Such a sweetheart. She often helped me fall back to sleep when I woke in the middle of the night. We moved to Colorado about five years and lived with my sister and her two labs. They co-existed very easily and had a nice home together. She also made friends at the dog park in the Gunbarrel area outside of Boulder when I moved to a condo out there. I loved her completely every day. She has come twice to me in dreams since she made her transition to the other side. I know she is running free in a younger body and that she is often with me to comfort me. For this I am very grateful and this knowledge has helped me in my grief and mourning process. I also want to thank everyone who helped in the end when it got very difficult. Phoebe was diagonosed with bladder cancer and the symptoms just got to be too much. I am grateful for Dr. Lisa at Home to Heaven who helped Phoebe make her transition and for her caring ways that made it all not as difficult. Godspeed little Phoebe. I will always love you and hope to see you again.