My dog Blossom passed away about 1 and 1/2 weeks ago. It has been so hard to be in the house without her. Every morning when I wake up, I look for her. She always greeted me with her graceful presence in the mornings. When I was little, my mom used to tell Blossom to "go get Meg!" in the mornings. She would burst into my room and wag her tail and put that little nose right by my face until I woke up. Blossom was the calmest, happiest, nicest creature I have ever been blessed with. She is the strongest link to my childhood and I am so happy to have had 13 beautiful years with her. The memories are endless and I think that has eased the pain. I am more serene now, and I suppose I have accepted the fact that I must wait to see her in heaven now and I cannot be so sad. She wouldn't want me to be sad--afterall, she was the one who always made me happy. I prayed that she could be in my dreams last night...and of course, there she was. She was the same old Blossom that was just here with me 10 days ago. Having her pass on was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to deal with. Losing an animal is like losing a best friend. She was always there and never complained or whined of disagreed or argued like best friends of the human nature. She was such a comfort to me. I love her with all my heart and though she was not human, I think she brought out my humanity in the best way. The memories of hot summer days when we would sit out on the porch together to the memories of her always wagging that tail and occasionally smiling, yes smiling, have eased my pain. I am so grateful to have had this golden retriever and she has certainly left paw prints in my heart.