While other family members were too wrapped up in their own activities to give me more than a cursory acknowledgment that I was home, you had been waiting for me all day, and you gave me a hero’s welcome as I walked through the door after work.  My arrival was the high point of your day.  I would not have traded even one of your after-work back door greetings for a ticker tape parade in New York City followed by a trip to Washington, D.C., for a reception in my honor at the White House.

When I get out of the truck after work and walk up to the house, I still expect to see you there at the door, with that wagging tail and that loving look shining in your eyes, waiting to give me those big, wet, sloppy doggy kisses.

Often when I talk to humans, they only halfway listen, having their minds on something else, but you always had time to listen to my problems, and you always gave me your complete, undivided attention as I spoke to you. 

People are sometimes in a bad mood and are best left alone, but you were never in a bad mood; it was never a “bad time” to talk to you.  You were always there for me. 

No matter what sacrifices I make for other family members, it often goes unnoticed or unappreciated, but the least little pat on the head, or a “good dog,” or an “I love you” would thrill you.  And, if I took time to play with you, it was almost too much excitement for you to handle.

Humans are always expecting something, making demands, but you asked for so little; you only asked for my love and a tiny bit of attention once in a while.  You brought joy and a deep peace to my life every day, and you repaid me for the simple little things that I had to do for you, like feeding you and taking you outside, a million times over.

People have their own lives to live and their own business to tend to; they have places to go, people to talk to, things to get done, and no matter how much they love me, they can only give me part of their time. But, I was the center of your life.  You had no life apart from me.  I was your life.

Is there any wonder that I loved you so much?  Is there any wonder why it hurt me so badly to say goodbye to you on that awful day, September 19, 2005?  Is there any wonder why I still cry for you almost every day, even now, almost eight months after you had to leave me?  Is there any wonder that I will love you forever and will not be whole again until we are reunited?  Rossie Pup, Grandpa loves you, and Grandpa misses you.