Finally we are having an apparently full day of sunshine. Of course, it's Illinois, so who knows? At least it looks good for now. For the first time in a while, I'm beginning to swing a little away from the "Full Grief" side of the pendulum. There is still a good long way to go, and I know that I will never be totally grief-free. I intentionally remember the happy times we had with Stinky Wink and the ways that he really did enhance or lives. Three years ago we took Wink on vacation with us. We were gone about five days to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He really seemed to have a good time--all kinds of new places to sniff and explore (and mark, of course). But, like my wife and me, he was glad to be home, in his own yard (unleashed). Any time we were out walking and something would disturb him, he would want to head for home. Dogs that he might want to get away from when he was on the leash, would get the sharp edge of his tongue when he was inside our fenced yard! And of course he was fearless against the vacuum cleaner and the hair dryer. Funny guy! I let him go because I had to--for him. But there is an anchor wedged deep within my heart that will keep us connected and bring us both back home, where it's safe and secure, until the time that we meet again. I miss you, Wink, my "besses puppo"!