As a BDW regular from a few years ago, I am very, very grateful for the friends I have made here on the board. I have been extremely fortunate to meet a lot of folks from this board in person and have had many a good time and have been extended many a kindness that had nothing to do with bullies, but speaks volumes about the hearts of people that cross our path as a result of our dogs.

Stacie and Cleo were not the first I met, but having had such fun meeting folks on the east coast, when I moved west, I was delighted to accept her generous offer to have lunch to welcome me to town. While we didn't hang out every day, I was surprised and delighted to meet such genuinely nice people who wound up holding on to me when I needed it most.

What I have to say is not remarkable, but I don't want it to get lost as a response to other posts. Cleo was a dog that would make you just laugh and roll your eyes and wonder how in the world?.............I think she had a diva streak a mile wide and while I don't think she worried for a moment about her curvaceous figure, she always knew she was ALL that.

To Stacie, Doug and Herc:
As you will remember, I had the absolute pleasure of spending quality time with Cleo......gave her a couple of toys that instantly became more trouble than they were worth, and realized pretty soon that this gal had WAY more of a personality than a four letter name could express. Turns out that to me she became Cleo-Patty......a rif on Cleopatra, but with the hip spin that she demanded.

She loved me unconditionally (in my mind - I was probably a huge PIA to her!), even if I wouldn't share my Stacie-prepared gourmet dinner with her, and she was nothing short of delighted to experience everything her family could come up with! She had a life that I can honestly only dream of - one of love and fun and where are we going next and can we snuggle- and never wondering if love is finite.

Stacie, Doug and Paper Boy, my heart is very honestly broken for all of you tonight. Losing any one of our babies is horrific, but your circumstances have no explanation and that's the hardest to handle. Please know that I hold all of you, and especially Miss Cleo-Patty very tight in my heart. I am honored to have met herself - she was "trouble", and I liked it.