To those who have experienced the joy and unconditional love of an animal companion, survived the heartache of saying goodbye, and continue to rejoice in the cherished memories.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU. Were it not for Peggy Beach—my dearest friend and an amazing editor—issuing me a "gnarly challenge" to write a memoir shortly after saying goodbye to Annie, I would have never attempted such a heart-wrenching feat.

And a gnarly challenge it surely turned out to be, for I never cried so hard, for so long, for so many days, as I had writing, rewriting, and tweaking this memoir.

Having said that, I am grateful for Peggy's gnarly challenge not only as an exercise to hone my writing skills and delve into unchartered territory for me as an author, but for the therapy and closure it brought me.

SHIRLEY'S NOTE. What you are about to read is exceedingly personal. Something I've written for me but desire to share with you. I hope you accept it in the loving spirit in which it's offered.