One thing I truly treasured about my sabbatical was more time spent one on one with Kylie. We took many walks on a path that is just a short distance from our house.  She soothed my broken heart by just being there in the silence, walking beside me, or trotting up ahead of me. It was in those moments of being with her, truly being with her, that I felt my heart begin to slowly mend.

Kylie has always had this quiet, amazing strength about her that I was witness to even more the past two months. I truly don’t know how to even say thank you to her for the comfort she provided me just by being who she is.  It was as if she felt my pain and in her own unique way stood by me in the only way a dog can do. She didn’t take away my sorrow, but gave me hope that my heart would heal and expand again.

Many days watching her scoot ahead on the path, soaking up all the smells  that leaves, trees and woods provide,  my spirit began to lighten. She was the sunshine on days my heart was clouded over with grief.

I saw a side of her I had never seen before. Her gentle, sweet presence was like a warm blanket of comfort that wrapped itself around me. She was my light. My comfort. My strength. My hope. My constant friend. My dear Kylie, full of a love that came bursting through and enveloped my heart with the kindest and most sweet compassion. Thank you, my friend, for being there for me.  My angel of unconditional love.