If you have never had a dog, you may never understand how much a part of you and your family they become. They are a shadow that is with you from the day they arrive to the day they leave. And when they leave, there is no feeling more sad.The dog is capable of loving an honoring you unconditionally for it's entire life, and that is rarely accomplished amongst us human's.
Mark Twain said, "Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." I would only add that based on how dogs behave on earth, they do go in.
Katie is a friend's dog who passed away recently but will never be forgot.