In 1999, after losing all three of my German Shepherds withing 18 months, I thought I would never have another dog; their loss was too great to bear. But my heart was missing a piece and I relented and we brought a beautiful cocker spaniel puppy into our lives. He was feisty and funny. We named him Joe Cocker because if he were a person, he would have been a rock and roll star. That same year my mother died. The day I returned home from her funeral, I opened the garage door and there was Joe, a 5 month old pup who jumped for joy to see me. When I went into the house I picked him up and burst out in tears. He put his little paws around my neck and buried his face on my shoulder. As I sobbed into his soft fur he stayed with me. His comfort gave me the ability to face a massive loss. When he was five, he went blind. After extensive visits to various vets we found it was a congenital problem. But Joe never seemed to feel sorry for himself. With my daughter's devoted help, he learned to negotiate through the house, go through the dog door and out into the yard. He would later walk to the edge of the pool, jump in and swim to the shallow end and walk up the steps. He turned 12 just last month and yesterday, he went outside and did not come back. We found him in the yard shortly after. Whatever happened it was very quick and he did not suffer. He looked as if he were just lying down for a nap. I am heart broken. He was not "just a dog" as some people say; he was someone who loved me. And strangely, last night as I sat by myself with crying over this loss, Joe's son, who we are so lucky to have as his legacy, got up suddenly, went to the back door, looked out and let out the most mournful howl I could imagine. Then he turned, walked over to where I was sitting, and laid down at my feet. Joe Cocker will always have a special place in my heart and one day when I cross the Rainbow Bridge I know he will be there, beautiful and loving as I shall always remember him.