Then a cat... now a dog

Right now I am feeling sad because last night, my dog Sheba died. I remember how she was brought home as a puppy, much against my wishes. I had a german shepherd called Barky, in New Zealand, and when she died I was so upset, that I promised myself.. NO MORE DOGS. We came to Sri Lanka and the next thing.. we have a dog. Sheba was such a cute pup and grew to be a very intelligent dog. She guarded us from any danger. She protected us from strangers. She gave love and was a loyal friend. She loved giving her paw when asked to, because she just knew that I would then pet her, stroke her and show her I loved her. I sometimes called her "Sheba girl" and I think she liked that too, a kind of special bonding! We had to part with her in February this year, as we could not take Sheba to our apartment. Sheba lived with our helper and family, where she continued to receive love and care. Dying.. a natural part of life but very hard to accept sometimes. My brain says, death comes to all but my heart says "Why so soon?" Only those who love animals can understand. Sue, my friend, is physically separated from the cat she has befriended and I am forever separated from the dog I loved. Such is life.