Bye, Y'all... ADDRESS ADDED TO SEND CARDS

Although I never met Larry, I appreciated his sharing a touching poem about his constant companion - his dog Booger. It was a reflection of his kind heart. So sorry to hear of his passing. Here is his poem from the Fall of 2014 when I first started following the forum.

 You came to me in the night, unexpected and uninvited. You were cold and tired and hungry. I was not prepared to accept you. I did not feed you or shelter you. I tried repeatedly to chase you away. Some might even say you were abused. I gave you food I could not use. I sheltered you in a garbage can. I did not return the affection you freely and completely gave. You kept returning, sensing that I needed you, and eventually I let you stay. It is difficult now to recall those times. It seems you have always been an important part of my life. You are always in my heart, constantly on my mind, and frequently by my side. You have taught me the meaning of forgiveness; The importance of a short memory. I have laughed at you for chasing flying buzzards we both knew you could never catch. I have scolded you for digging holes in the yard, and then praised you for catching moles that had caused more damage than you did. I try repeatedly to teach you to fetch, but you enjoy keep-away much better. I took you to the vet when you ate rat poison, when you jumped out the window of the moving truck, when that copperhead got the better of you, and when you cut your paw chasing rabbits. I have picked a million ticks from your hide. I have taken you in my lap when police sirens or thunder made you shiver and whine. I have been told you don’t know just how lucky you are. But, I am the lucky one. You live in a part of my heart that only you will ever possess.