I usually don't write personal entries, but today I mourn the loss of a dear friend. He was a bed warmer, a patient listener, and occasionally too sharp for my own good. He was always happy, loved people, loved to play. I speak of course of my dog, Wheezer.

Wheezer came to me from a pound in 1998, about a year or two old. He was a sorry little thing, moping near walls, afraid to eat, skinny, sad. We figured he'd had it rough, but in the brevity of a few weeks he seemed to accept he was family, and that we only wanted to do our best for him. He became a confident, playful, happy creature. No bigger than a small cat, Wheezer had a lot of heart, and a unique personality. His capacity to communicate his feeling toward others was remarkable, more so, he was quick to win the affections of even the most jaded "oh he's just a dog" sorts.

In the time I've had him I was grateful for everything. We could have been better off without some of the bad days, but all in all I wouldn't have changed much if anything.

Most of all he was a dear friend, and a boyhood dream fulfilled. My sweet loving dog brought myself and others a lot of joy, and to my sadness, today I chose to give him peace.

If you're a pet owner take no day for granted, because before you know it those carefree days will end. Someday the little ones, the ones who gift us with their unconditional love and devotion, will be there no longer to make us smile, or to care about us in the way that only they can.

Goodbye, Wheezie-bear, and thank you for being the best dog a man could ask for.