... I like that.

Your description of that moment of letting go is as good as I've ever heard. Being present for the beginning or end of a life's journey is an unmatched experience. And when any deeply connected soul leaves our lives, the gaps left are initially obvious, material, but also we find complex and surprising connections within us that maybe only become apparent as we heal and reflect.

Tippy's been gone almost five years now. I've accepted it in an academic sort of way, but I'm not over it in any emotional or spiritual sense. I still bury my nose in her collar hunting for a glimpse of her wonderful smell. These marvelous creatures adopt us to share in our lives, outside perhaps of their natural environment but adapting to ours, dependent upon us but somehow giving so much more than they receive along the way.

Our walks, Tanner checking the messages on every mailbox post, and that was fine, that was his time,
His obsession with keeping the front door closed, and slamming it behind you on the way out, catching you on the butt and sending you stumbling it you weren't paying attention,
Trotting from the other end of the house on hearing the skin of a banana pop open,
Left foot raised, head cocked, "you are planning on sharing that, aren't you?",
Sharing juicy oranges or peaches on the deck,
Little groans of pleasure when stretching out for a nap,
Evening romps with "Bear", a stuffed animal nearly as large as he was who he had had since he was a puppy. The romp would begin on our bed with furious growling, and then he would come tearing into the living room, Bear in his mouth, inviting us to play too. Despite his love of toys he never really destroyed them, and Bear needed only one or two attentions by Hilda to put him back right. Now they lie curled up together in a quiet and cozy spot in the upper garden.
Loving little kids because they liked to run and play and stuff,
His total love for Missy,
Working me after we had gone to bed, hinting at a cereal snack (with a banana) - first staring me down, then scratching my mouse hand if I was internetting, then finally licking my neck,
Naps together,
Quiet morning time on the couch in the office,
And more that are dimming already ...
(sorry for all this, but it just has to come out before it's gone)