They say you don’t find your dog but that your dog finds you.

Maybe.  Maybe not.

But what I know right now is how lucky The Steves (Note: yes, me and the husband — same first name) were to have had Rosie as our most loyal, funny, stubborn and beautiful best friend.

For 14 years.

Rosie died at home Friday morning in her favorite spot.

A central location in the house where she could quickly navigate anything. 

Food, danger (well, garbage trucks and gardeners), people, television (Note: Yeah, she liked to watch) and…US.

I could go on and on with personal stories.  But what it amounts to is:

The love and attention you receive from a pet, especially one that’s been around a long time and becomes part of your family, is unmatched by anything I’ve ever experienced.

Expressive.  Intuitive.  Unconditional.   Forever.

For most of us humans forever is many, many, many decades.  Not so much for dogs. 

But they don’t think in those terms. 

They’re moment to moment creatures who will give you all of themselves for what we see as so little.

Food.  A touch of praise or affection.  And a place to sleep. 

Day in and day out.

If you do that minimum they will give you the maximum. 

They will literally give you their lives.

What you never realize is that, after a time, well, you’ve done the same.

The fun and the love and the goofiness and even the misbehaving wins you over because their simplicity is irresistible.

The excitement in their eyes and the wiggle in their butt every time you walk through the door.

The casual paw on your shoulder or head on your lap when you’re lounging on the couch, the floor, the grass, the bed, or the…

Well, you get the picture.

And…here are some of Rosie. 

Young, middle-aged and senior.   

I’ll miss our silent conversations and the boundless energy and joy she brought to everything for so long.

And the tummy rubs.  For being a good girl.

But mostly for just…being.

RIP.

And you are a good girl.

Forever.

Rod Stewart – “Have I Told You Lately”