meet Bounce, my buddy pal in everything. he's a big dog, but not to the point where he's knocking over decor. Bounce will no longer be my buddy pal today. you can guess why.

now I'm not gonna be sad and profess my sadness to a community. that's not the person I want to be. instead, I'm gonna tell you a little story about bounce and me.

I've known bounce since I was a baby--three or so. I was young. Younger than your average lemon tree. And Bounce, well, he was a baby too. He was a baby when someone threw him out of a truck on a highway. And, well, my mom was lucky enough to see him get tossed out. she picked little baby bounce up and took him home. it was history after that.

when I came home from school, bounce was always there. he came up to the door and nosed his way between my legs like the dog he was. it was pleasant knowing he was always there to greet me. good days and bad, bounce would always be around getting his wet, and surprisingly icy cold nose in my hands.

in essence, we grew up together. my childhood was closely attached to his and I can't remember a day without him. when I was young I always imagined my dogs as little friends. People I could talk to that would give me advice. And not in the furry sense (although I respect people that are furries). I just didn't have that many people to talk to when I grew up. it was cute.

And the thing about Bounce is that he was always the one that would sit and listen. My other dogs would get sidetracked and I'd laugh, playing along. But not Bounce. He'd patiently sit down and await his head pets while I told him about my day. I loved him for that.

so, today, I went downstairs and pet his amazingly soft ears (they're like clouds guys). he looked at me, and I looked at him. I smiled.

most people have someone that defined them for who they are, whether it be a parent or a friend. Mine will always be Bounce. Maybe that's a little weird, but it's true. And I love him for that. I love me because of him.

I'm really gonna miss him.

thank you.