OP
@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
0:7 and counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38668
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
0:7 and counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38668
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
Not the scooter, or the beer, or even the character in the Tennessee Williams play -- though I was obviously aware of all of these versions of Stella, and I was even blurring the lines between them when I named my dog Stella. Really, "Stella" is just "Star" in Italian, and that fit her well.

Let's rewind the story. Sorry, this is going to be long. Please bear with me.

-=-= Prologue =-=-

Way back in 2012, I had just finished my second (and last) Cannonball. We were in San Diego, the day after the event ended, and we were packing up and putting the bikes on the truck (and the trailer). As I did at the end of all the other road trips I had been on over the years, I started getting excited about the ritual of going home -- including seeing my beloved dog Jasmine. Except that, in the flurry of post-event tasks, I had almost forgotten that I didn't have a dog any more -- she had crossed the rainbow bridge the year before. It was like a dagger into my heart, feeling the loss all over again.

Driving the truck home to the Bay Area from San Diego, I resolved to do something about that.

The next day was spent getting everyone's bikes, tools, spare wheels, and assorted bits and bobs back to their owners. After that, I had one more day of vacation before I had to go back to work. When my wife and I got up in the morning, I informed her we were going to get a dog. Today. We had been dog-less for long enough.

"Sure, we can go look at some dogs today" she said, not really understanding what I was saying.

"No no. We are bringing a dog home today. Come hell or high water."

-=-= The Beginning =-=-

We went first to the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, which has a fabulous facility. Ultimately, though, none of the dogs there were quite the right fit for us.

Next up was the San Jose Animal Shelter, and I had spotted a likely candidate on their website that morning. She was approximately two years old, about 20 pounds, short haired, and mostly black with a white spot on her chest.

We were disappointed that we couldn't find her among all the kennels on display, but when we asked the staff about her, they said she had just been cleared from the medical ward that day (she had been fixed and one of her teeth had been pulled) and thus was not in the regular kennels yet. And yes, of course we could see her.

The staff took us into a room, we sat down on the floor in the center, and they brought her in. She carefully went around the entire perimeter of the room, sniffed all the corners, and then, apparently satisfied with the condition of the room, came right over to me and sat in my lap. She was such a sweet girl.

My wife said "Let's take this one home".



We talked to the staff some more about her, and her origins. They really didn't know much, except that she had been picked up off the street in Milpitas. She was rail thin, emaciated, even. The staff advised us that she might be part whippet, and that we shouldn't put any weight on her. Needless to say, they were completely wrong (we had her DNA checked). She was hungry and needed a sammich. Or two. Or five. But she was such a sweet girl.

We filled out all the paperwork, paid the modest fees (including the cost of her medical work) and walked out the door with her.

On the way home, we stopped at the pet store to get some supplies, and took her in with us. She picked up a stuffed toy off of one of the lower shelves and carried it through the store while we shopped, all the way to the checkout. Needless to say, we bought it. She had picked it out herself, after all.

- = - = -

When we finally got home, she walked in the front door, hopped up on the couch, looked back at me to make sure that this was okay, but also said, in her way, "Okay, I am ready for some snuggles now!". So we sat on the couch, and she sat half next to me and half on my lap. She was such a sweet girl.

For the first couple of weeks, she showed a little bit of food-related aggression. When we fed her, she would growl a little bit if we got too close to her. We guessed that she had been on the street for an extended amount of time -- maybe a month, even. She was that thin. Eventually, she realized that we weren't going to take her food away, she didn't have to fight for her next meal, and the food aggression went away. And we put a few pounds on her in the process, until she didn't look emaciated.

Aside from the minor food aggression, she was exceptionally well behaved. She was completely house trained, never had an accident, never got into the garbage, and when she had to go somewhere in a car, she would only sit behind the driver seat, on the floor. On a few occasions, we tried to get her to sit in the front seat and do dog things like stick her nose out of the window, but she was having none of it. She would resist with every ounce of her strength, and she was actually quite strong for a (now) 25 pound dog. I don't know if this was something someone had trained her to do or if she really didn't like riding in a car.

She was such a sweet girl.

Stella insisted on a regular routine. She had a mental day planner, and knew with a fair degree of accuracy what time it was and what was due her at any given moment. Breakfast, walk, treat, snuggle, dinner, walk, treat, snuggle, bedtime. If we weren't forthcoming with what was due her on time, she would let us know about it. Not badly, or by misbehaving, but she would come over to me or my wife and "nose" us until we noticed her, and then she would look up at us and tell us in no uncertain terms what we were failing to deliver.

Truly, Stella had the widest range of emotions that I have ever seen in a dog. Happiness, sadness, boredom -- sure. Easy. But also frustration, anxiety, anger, resignation, wariness, resentment, and on and on. Maybe I just had a great bond with her, but I generally always had a pretty good idea what she was thinking (and what she was asking for).

- = - = -

We crate trained her initially, but she was always fairly unhappy in the crate, even after several years, and would start whining at about 5am, waking me up. She really, really, really wanted to sleep in the big bed. Eventually, my wife relented, and Stella got her fondest wish -- sleeping right in the middle. I genuinely think she felt her life was complete at that point.

We did eventually get her DNA checked. I had already guessed that, despite her normal-sized legs, she was probably part Dachshund. She had a Dachshund face, a slightly longer-than-normal body, and each of her hairs were two-tone: black at the tip, but chocolate brown toward the follicle. And of course, she had big floppy Dachshund ears as well.

The DNA test confirmed it: she was half Dachshund, half Fox Terrier. Basically a Dachshund with regular legs. Really, really fast legs, too. Fastest Dachshund on the planet, I'll bet.

-=-= The Beginning of the Ending =-=-

We were never quite sure how old Stella was, though. The animal shelter told us she was about two years old when we adopted her, but animal shelters are notorious for under-stating the age of the dogs. I can't blame them, really.

As she aged, her face got grayer and grayer and grayer, until it looked like she was wearing a mask. She started slowing down, and was eventually diagnosed with kidney disease. A few months ago, the vet informed us that it had progressed to Stage IV Kidney Disease, and it was terminal. She might only have days left.

Stella had other plans, though. She was still quite perky, still insistent on going for twice-daily walks, and still full of life. My wife and I had to make a trip to Portugal (part of our long-term visa application) and left Stella in the care of my mother-in-law. When we got back (about three weeks later) Stella had visibly deteriorated. She was slower, was having trouble eating, was much more selective about what she was eating, and just generally wasn't as full of life.

-=-= The Ending of the Ending =-=-

We watched carefully as Stella was slowly declining. I knew that at some point, I would have to call it — kidney disease is, according to the vet, painful, and we did not want her to suffer. While she was declining, it wasn't clear to me (or my wife) exactly what the criteria would be to make a call.

I was visiting with a friend of mine (one of my former colleagues at Apple) who had been through the same thing with her dog just a month or two earlier. I remarked that I was having trouble with this decision, and she offered me some sage advice that became my mantra for the next several weeks, words that I would repeat to myself over and over again. She said, simply, "You'll know".

And she was right. When the time finally came, I knew. My wife knew. And I am pretty sure that Stella knew as well.

We made an appointment with a mobile vet that specializes in doing in-home end-of-life procedures. And honestly, she was wonderful. Kind, careful, and clearly cared about the well being of animals, right up to (and beyond) their final moments.

Stella passed yesterday at 12:45pm, peacefully, in my lap, at home on the couch. The very same spot where she had first landed when she walked in the door on Day One, ready for snuggles.

-=-= Epilogue =-=-

As we walked out of the San Jose Animal Shelter way back in 2012, I had every intention of spoiling our new dog (who didn't even have her name yet) and giving her the life that rescue dogs dream of. As we were getting Stella into the car, I said to her "You just won the lottery, dog".

In fact, I was wrong. It was us — my wife and I — who won the lottery. Stella enriched our lives in countless immeasurable ways. Her absence has already left a hole in our family, an essential piece that is now missing.

We are sorely missing her.
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⚠️ Last edited by jess on UTC; edited 2 times
OP
@jess avatar
UTC

Petty Tyrant
0:7 and counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38668
Location: Bay Area, California
 
Petty Tyrant
@jess avatar
0:7 and counting
Joined: UTC
Posts: 38668
Location: Bay Area, California
UTC quote
-=-= Postscript =-=-

The Bay Area had high wind storms yesterday, and we lost power halfway through the end-of-life procedure. The vet was a pro, though, and she was completely unperturbed. As it stands, we still do not have power, and might not have it until Friday or even Saturday.

So I had to go to my local public library and upload all the photos for the above post while sitting in the parking lot, using their free WiFi.

My presence will be minimal here until I get power, as our cell phone coverage at home is very poor. I'll check in as much as I can with the 1 bar of service I do have.
@miguel avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@miguel avatar
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
UTC quote
I remember your post from 12 years ago about Jasmine and another post about getting Stella but I couldn't find it quickly.

Ms Miguel and I have a similar story but about our cat Yogi who died a couple years ago when he was 18. We chose at that time not to get another cat but I sorely missed having cat energy around the house. I kept mooning about not having a cat and Ms Miguel started searching. After two years or being cat-less, we rescued Tux from the local SPCA in October. I also spoil him and we thorough enjoy having his energy in our house.

I hope you get another dog soon Jess, whether it be in Santa Clara or Portugal. There's another rescue dog out there that needs to be spoiled by you and Ms. Jess. It is win-win-win.

Miguel
@adri avatar
UTC

Atypical Canadian
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
 
Atypical Canadian
@adri avatar
2009 Vespa S50(LX150 motor swap), 2006 Vespa GTS250ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2319
Location: Toronto, Canada
UTC quote
Condolences Jess. My own pup turns 14 in April. I got her the first week I moved out of my parents house. Not looking forward to that chapter even though I know it's not too far. Keep your head up.
@miguel avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@miguel avatar
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
UTC quote
As an aside, cellular service was terrible in the building I worked at in Sunnyvale. Being a company filled with a LOT of radio engineers, we bought a radio repeater with a much better antenna system and amplifiers specifically for boosting cellular radio signals. It worked fantastically because the repeater antenna had much better "gain" than the antennas in phones. I haven't looked but I'm sure they are still available, prolly on Amazon.

Miguel
@baba12 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2018 Vespa 300 GTS Touring
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Posts: 1371
Location: NYC
 
Molto Verboso
@baba12 avatar
2018 Vespa 300 GTS Touring
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Posts: 1371
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UTC quote
Wow. When you read through your post, one comes away with a major dose of empathy even if one is hard assed brutus. Thanks for sharing this story about Stella, the eyes say it all in the pics.
It is never fun when you have to part ways with one such as Stella.
Good people find ways to do what is fair and right by their pets. I am sure the grieving process will conduct its own journey.
@cheshire avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS (sold)
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Location: US overlander, NC-plated
 
Molto Verboso
@cheshire avatar
GTS (sold)
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UTC quote
I had to skip-read because my late dog is still for me, but.

Here's to Stella, to memories, and to peace.
@bob_copeland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
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Ossessionato
@bob_copeland avatar
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
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UTC quote
Jess,

You are correct, they bring so much joy and enrichment to our lives.
Reading the story hit me with a good measure of emotion.

Bob Copeland
@rrider avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
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Location: Finland
 
Ossessionato
@rrider avatar
Triumph Bonneville 2022, Triumph Street Scrambler 2018 (sold), Suzuki VanVan200 (sold), 2015 Sprint 125 (sold)
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Location: Finland
UTC quote
I'm sorry for your loss.

You're the ones who won the lottery - well said.
@trishdish avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
1980 P125x, 2004 ET4, 2003 Triumph Bonneville, 1973 Honda CB350
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Location: San Francisco
 
Enthusiast
@trishdish avatar
1980 P125x, 2004 ET4, 2003 Triumph Bonneville, 1973 Honda CB350
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Location: San Francisco
UTC quote
Sending you both so much love. Stella was the bestest girl.
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@az_slynch avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '74 VBC1, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
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Location: Tucson, AZ
 
Molto Verboso
@az_slynch avatar
'07 GTS250, '07 LX150, '81 P200E, '78 P200E, '74 VBC1, '64 V90 and 3 Ciaos
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UTC quote
Jess,

My condolences to you and the Mrs. It's hard to truly appreciate the impact a dog has on your life until they're gone, and though you know it's time, it never seems to get any easier to let them go.

I hope in time you're able to find another sweet pup to help fill the Stella shaped hole in your hearts.
My little helper and I send our regards.
My little helper and I send our regards.
@robalatte avatar
UTC

Hooked
GTS 300's
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Location: PALM SPRINGS, CA
 
Hooked
@robalatte avatar
GTS 300's
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Location: PALM SPRINGS, CA
UTC quote
What a beautiful share. Condolences.
Looks like you gave her an amazing life. Dogs are such an important part of our lives and theres nothing worse than morning the loss of one. I've always had frenchies and the truth is dogs (no matter what breed) just do so much to enrich our lives!!
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@cdwise avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
GTS 300, Buddy 125
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Location: Knoxville, TN
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@cdwise avatar
GTS 300, Buddy 125
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UTC quote
It seems that too many I know have lost their long time four legged companions since the first of the year. I *hate*, I really mean hate reading about it as Zander is 13.5 and has noticeably deteriorated in the last year leaving us wondering just how much longer he will be with us. So every time I read something like this I think of Zander.

Dogs (and cats) find their way into our hearts and enrich our lives.

I'm sorry for your loss and know that Stella not only filled a void for you and your wife but that the two of you did the same for her.
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⚠️ Last edited by cdwise on UTC; edited 1 time
@fledermaus avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2015 GTS 2017 BV 350
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Posts: 12502
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fledermaus avatar
2015 GTS 2017 BV 350
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Posts: 12502
Location: Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
UTC quote
Sorry for your loss, Jess.

Yes, as lucky as they can be cared for and spoiled, we're lucky to have them. It's hard having them leave.
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7621
Location: Tega Cay, SC
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
Joined: UTC
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UTC quote
We let pets into our hearts and they fill a hole we did not even know was there until they move on.. It's a gut punch, for sure, but you got to enrich their lives as well as your own. That's a comfort in itself.
@25bikez avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
2009 Genuine Stella 2T
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Molto Verboso
@25bikez avatar
2009 Genuine Stella 2T
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Posts: 1237
Location: Texas
UTC quote
It's a hard thing. Condolences to you both.

We had two dogs for 13 years, a Golden (Alex) and a Schnauzer mutt (Max) (who, oddly enough, was the Alpha despite being 1/4 the size), raised together from weaning, that passed away within weeks of each other many years ago.

We still miss them, and never had the heart to replace them.
@miguel avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@miguel avatar
2009 GTV250 (Gone), 2003 Inder trailer (also gone), 2001 BMW R1100RT
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Posts: 5707
Location: Santa Cruz California
UTC quote
25BIKEZ wrote:
It's a hard thing. Condolences to you both.

We had two dogs for 13 years, a Golden (Alex) and a Schnauzer mutt (Max) (who, oddly enough, was the Alpha despite being 1/4 the size), raised together from weaning, that passed away within weeks of each other many years ago.

We still miss them, and never had the heart to replace them.
Someone once asked Mark Twain if his dog was a mongrel. "No. It's a composite."🐾😎
Miguel
@wleuthold avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
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Posts: 5339
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@wleuthold avatar
2006 Vespa GT (Rocket): 2007 Vespa GT (Vanessa): 2009 Yamaha Zuma 125: 2018 Yamaha Xmax (Big Ugly), 2023 Vespa GTS300 (Ghost)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 5339
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UTC quote
What a nice story.

We lost our Cooper, a 14 year old rescue golden, two months ago.

It still hurts.

Bill
@witch avatar
UTC

Moderatrice Strega
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7699
Location: Oregone
 
Moderatrice Strega
@witch avatar
Joined: UTC
Posts: 7699
Location: Oregone
UTC quote
Not to imply that I'm dissing other kinds of pets (they're all wonderful), but really... dogs are the best. The decision to befriend dogs was one of the best things we've ever done as a species, in my opinion.

I know I can't say anything that will help with the pain. But it's so awesome that you got to have her and spoil her and love her.

RIP, little Stella.
@bob_copeland avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3807
Location: Minneapolis USA
 
Ossessionato
@bob_copeland avatar
2013 Vespa 300 Super, 2022 Kymco AK 550
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3807
Location: Minneapolis USA
UTC quote
Witch,

The latest on cultural anthropology and the domestication of dogs.

It was traditionally believed that wild dogs came into early human
camp fires for food and eventually just stuck around. They had
utility for defense and barking alarm

The revisionist switch: Early humans followed hunting dog packs
because the dogs were the more successful hunters. The humans
then muscled in on the kill, and the dogs stuck around the perimeter
to get their share. Something deduced from human camp fire sites
and the proximity of wild game and dog bone remains.

Whatever, and I expect some of both of the above a super bond was
created that enriched out lives.

Bob Copeland
Anthropologist Wanna Be
We still use these rascals.
We still use these rascals.
UTC

Addicted
PK50XL, PK100S, ET3, Matchless G80S, Honda CBR400RR, Ducati ST4S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 724
Location: UK
 
Addicted
PK50XL, PK100S, ET3, Matchless G80S, Honda CBR400RR, Ducati ST4S
Joined: UTC
Posts: 724
Location: UK
UTC quote
So sorry to hear this. From the pictures and your words, she had a really good life and was obviously loved.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 44803
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 44803
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Hugs. Lots of them.
@rick_dangerous avatar
UTC

Member
2009 Vespa S50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21
Location: Summerville, South Carolina
 
Member
@rick_dangerous avatar
2009 Vespa S50
Joined: UTC
Posts: 21
Location: Summerville, South Carolina
UTC quote
RIP...the hardest thing about dogs is losing them so soon.
@mythrpy avatar
UTC

Member
2020 GTV 300ie/ Sei Giorni
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14
Location: Nor Cal
 
Member
@mythrpy avatar
2020 GTV 300ie/ Sei Giorni
Joined: UTC
Posts: 14
Location: Nor Cal
UTC quote
I loved reading Stella's story. Although a sad story, what warmed my heart was the good life you provided her. I've put down three of my labs and stepped in once for a friend who just wasn't able to. I always wanted to be there for them to the end. I hope it's not too soon, but I am going to try to attach a Chris Stapleton video (If I'm unable to, you can google it, he is accompanied by Miranda Lambert) called "Maggie's Song"; a song about how he acquired his dog and the inevitable decision all animal owners will have to make at some point. He said he wrote the song because she was a member of the family for 14 years and frankly she deserved it. It's a beautiful song, but grab a hanky. Being St. Patrick's day I'm heading up to my local pub here in Sonoma where I usually raise a glass to all those I've known, people and companions, to acknowledge their passing. I will include Stella. I wish you and your family peace and healing.

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