You came into my life sight unseen when I agreed to take two dogs that the rescue organization couldn't place. They had become great friends at the shelter and it was hoped that they could be placed together. You had already been through a lot in your young life. . . tied with electrical wire to one corner of a fence, having your puppies with no shelter, contracting heartworm, being rescued by an angel, treatment for heartworm. . . it was no wonder you snarled at everyone who came near you including me. That first time you looked so beautiful. The staff at the vet shelter had bathed you and your long black hair was thick and glossy. You snarled, but I got my arm around you and that seemed to be it. Somehow you knew I was your person. It was love from then on. It took you a long time to trust new people. . . there really were only a handful that you cared about, but those you were devoted to. . . and especially me. You used to follow me around the house and just gaze into my eyes. I loved watching you and Sunny run around the park. You hadn't had much of a puppyhood, but watching you run and play with a smile on your sweet face made me so happy. Watching you wallow in the mudhole and end up with muddy dreadlocks made me laugh because you looked sooo happy doing it. It was hard for me to get really mad at you even though you brought all that silty mud home with you. Every time you got close to another human, it warmed my heart. You really had no reason to trust humans and I'm convinced that if you hadn't been so feisty that you may not have survived to be rescued. I had to love that part of you too. And I felt so protected. With the two of you I walked the park at midnight and loved looking at the stars and the moon with the two of you running around. You were impossible to see at night with your coal black coat! Just that one time I actually lost you and had to go home scared to death without you to find you sitting on the steps of the porch. And you did love to bark at the neighbor's cats and chase them given a chance in your youth! As you slowed down, our runs in the park became shorter and shorter walks finally just around the block and even yesterday you seemed to love that walk. I knew it was close, but I didn't know it would be your last one. Thank you for staying with me and helping me get used to the idea of being without you. Taking you in today was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But you let me know it was time. I did not want you in any kind of distress. Holding you in the back of the car with your head on my shoulder was special and will stay with me forever. I felt like you were comforting me. You were with me through so much. You rescued me when I took you and Sunny in. . . not the other way around. I will have other dogs, but there will never be another Miss Molly. Rest in Peace dear girl. . . my loyal and faithful companion.