Hey guys, I was out of the office so to speak for almost two weeks. I lost my best friend and companion for the last 12 years, my dog Rufus. I got him from my parents when they moved to Florida 12 years ago. He was 2. My buddy kept me going through a real rough patch when my first marriage ended when she moved on to somebody else and he had been in failing health. For the dog guys out there, you know about that bond. For the non dog guys, well, it's something I can't describe. I never had a dog before. It's like a piece of you goes missing when something like this happens. Anyways, the little guy went through a lot with me and I have been a bit lost the last couple of weeks 2 to be exact. At about five is when he went) but coming back the other day made me feel pretty good. Yesterday, my Wife and I went to the North Country to get our one year anniversary cake, then shot south to the Deerfield Fair, then went to my brothers house to let his two shepherds out. My brother Kevin and Samantha and I buried Rufus at Kevins house and we brought some dirt from his favorite hang out spot at my house up to Kevin's. I chose to bury him there so he could be next to my brothers great loss, Kody. The dirt was just a reminder from home. We buried him next to Kody, who died two years ago. Kody was the only dog my boy liked. Not to mention Rufus was a 23 pound Miniature Schnauzer who did not like other dogs. Anyways, I just wanted to say thanks to the guys here, I love the forum and coming back and being a part of it is always therapeutic. The second pic was when Kody and Rufus were puppies. For you dog guys, give them a hug and enjoy them. They are always there for you and being there for them is a real good thing.