Dear Sandy,

It has been two long years since I've seen you. And I miss you every single day. I remember I had just started volunteering at our local shelter when I saw you. You skinny thing, you were terrified of everything. Someone found you running along the highway and brought you in. I brought everyone who was looking for a pet to your cage, hoping they'd adopt you. Days went by and you began to cough. I knew what that meant. On the last day I decided to take you myself. I had no idea what I was in for. You were very sick, so we had to quarantine you from our other two pups for weeks. You wouldn't eat and you were so thin. But slowly you got better. However, you and our corgi mix Molly took one look at each other and it was WWIII. For three years we had to keep you separated. When I decided to move out and end my marriage, of course you went with me. I remember that first night in the apartment. You and I eyed each other like "okay, now what?" You were my best buddy for the next eleven years. Remember those great naps we took? No matter where you were or what you were doing, if I laid down on the couch, you were there with me. You were sick often; I think you must have had a terrible illness as a puppy, and it flared up every now and then. When I realized that you weren't going to get better, I had a very difficult decision to make. I always hoped you'd spare me and that I'd one day find you peacefully gone. But that's not how it worked out. You were the best beagle ever and I will never forget you. No dog will ever replace you in my heart. I'll see you some day, Sander McSander, Sandy Boo-Boo Kitty.

Love,

Mary