Through the push and pull of life, that dog was always there to improve their day. Wet or dry, their ridiculous fuzzy face inevitably produced a wide smile.

Whether they were going after balls, begging for peanut butter, or simply panting softly in the dark, their presence was a warm example of the unconditional, “agape” as the Romans put it, love that only two tightly bonded animals can share. And to have that taken away must have left them quite blue.