I never really knew your birthday, but I will never forget the day that we met. You were bruised, but not beaten. We guessed that you about a year. You were so skinny and so scared but to me you were beautiful and so strong to have endured what you had.

Joan thought that the reason that we were so close was because she went out of town right after you came home with me. What she didn't understand is that we were kindred spirits... We both came from scarey places and just needed someone safe to love us with no demands. We got that with each other...

There will never be a more faithful, loving companion. Dakota didn't do tricks, she was too regal to be bothered with those trivial "dog" things... But she would climb a tree to follow me...

The world has been a safer, happier, more loving place for 14 years with you with me. I pray that I gave that to you Dakota. I will miss you for the rest of my life.