I got Lady when I was 7 years old. I remember my dad pulled into the driveway and I ran out to see him. He then points over his shoulder to the back seat. The most beautiful thing I ever saw, curled up in the back seat, a miniature schnauzer puppy. We were all so happy she was a part of the family. I remember it like yesterday when she was all brown and black with floppy ears meeting us all, my mom, dad, sister and me, one by one in the kitchen. She was my other sister and best friend. If any of us cried or was having a bad day, it was like clockwork, she would be in your face licking you and crying as well. She was invincible it seemed, like nothing could ever happen to her. Everything she did brought a smile to everyone's face and a laugh from inside. As she got older and her health declined, I grew wiser and realized, although in extreme denial, that her time was getting closer. It was in the morning of July 19th, 2003 when I woke up after a sleepless night, because she was in pain, that she would pass. I woke up to find her awake, halfway under the foot of my bed, on her blanket where she always slept. I had to get ready for work and asked her if she wanted to go outside. She looked at and just laid motionless. I said okay softly and left the door open for her in case she wanted to come out. I went to the kitchen and ate some cereal. After I got done I went back into the room and she wasn't awake anymore. I called her name, nothing. I sat down next to her and rubbed her side, nothing. I gently put my hand on her eyes hoping to see a flinch, nothing. I just sat back and looked at her in disbelief. I knew she was gone, but I didn't want to accept it. I started to cry and laid down next to her and pet her still warm body and cool, wet nose. I marveled at how beautiful she looked. I was 21 years old when she passed. We wrapped her in her favorite blanket and later buried her in the backyard, she liked it out there. It truly is amazing how much grace and dignity she had as she passed. She brought so much to us in her 14 years with us. Love, compassion, playfulness, and loyalty. I'm not doing her justice at all in this piece, it's only a brief look at what she meant to me and my family. She is My Lady, forever, and she will always be loved and missed so much.