Our family dog, a 13 1/2 year old Golden Retriever named Callie (alias: Psycho Dog, Callie Monster, Callie Girl and various others) sadly had to be put to sleep last month.  Contrary to what you might conclude from her nick-names she was a remarkable dog/companion. A day doesn’t go by that I don’t hear her subtle nuances…sounds of Her quiet sighs, her nudging the kitchen screen door, the jingle of her tags, the quiet thumping of her tail on the kitchen floor when I’d walk in.  These sweet memories will fondly linger in my memory sadly eliciting sometimes just a tear but more often an overwhelming  rush of grief.  Callie was the “Constant” of our typically busy family.  She was always there with her unconditional love…Our Soft Place to land.

— Joely from Sherwood, OR