Girbeau, as I look to the clear, starfilled sky, I see your face and think of our lives together. When you were put into my life, I thought, he doesn't even like me. You would just sit and stare at trhe back of the seat of my car for the 2 hour ride home, never moving. As the years passed, we grew to be brothers. Always together, never apart. College was so fun cause you would go to school with me and everyone loved your fantastic personality. You layed with me when I was down, with your head on my chest and your paw in my hand. Oh, you know so much more about me than most people. We would fish and hunt together like we had no worries. Then I had to move to the city to make a living for my family and things were tough and we had to live in the concrete jungle called Dallas. I had to work and leave you all alone at the apartment, it just killed me that you didn't have the woods to run and explore like you had been used to for so many years. So, I asked an Angel, my mother, to let you stay at the lake and run free and play. She reluctantly agreed. But as time passed, she came to love you like I did, and everyone else who's path you crossed. You were so loved by all and you were the perfect dog. I missed having you by my side, but knew that you were better off in the country. When I would get the chance to see you, I would cry like a baby when I left. I knew that you missed me and you knew that I missed you. As the seventeen years passed and your muscular body grew old, I knew that it wouldn't be long. Mom would call and tell me you weren't well and that maybe you needed to go to Heaven, but I didn't have the strentgh to let you go, I am so sorry Girbeau. I couldn't make the call, you were my best friend and I couldn't imagine the world without you. In my stubborness, I let you get weaker, hoping that the vet could make you better. The day I was hunting and mom called and said "Trey, you need to come quick, he's not good." So I drove like a mad amn to get to you and when I got there you sprung up to see me. I thought that maybe you weren't as bad as she said and I again did not take care of my responsibilty as your dad to ease your pain. Then the day I got the call that you had gone, I cried and cried. My best friend had finally gotten some peace. I know that someday we will be together again, what a great day that will be my son. I love you and miss you dearly. Not a day goes by that you are not on my mind. See you soon buddy.