Hello everyone,

For my introduction I've decided to share my feelings. You see, on Friday the 12^th 2004, I lost my best friend. It was my dog, Wolf, a Labrador Retriever who was only 7 1/2 years old. He suffered from cancer, and it was not discovered until it was too late.

Of course, there are people who might say that it was only an animal, who in most religions hasn't got a soul anyway, but those people are heartless and have never looked into the eyes of an animal. To these people I say STOP READING NOW! You cannot begin to understand what this loss meant to me, and I will not have his memory sullied by you.

For all the others who feel like me, I shall give the cornerstones of his too-short life.

I got Wolf when he was eight weeks old; he was a cute bundle of fur with overlarge paws and ears. Ever since he had grown up, he never did any harm to anybody, never committed a bad deed; he always gave all he had to make life easier, and he always gave comfort to anyone who met him. He never barked, he never bit. He was like a son to me. He helped me through my most difficult years, when I was only a shadow's depth away from sliding into oblivion. I even used to take him to the university, where he never disturbed any lesson - he made grey days more colourful for all my fellow students.

Then, three weeks ago, he suddenly wouldn't eat anymore; instead of pulling me forward when going for a walk I almost had to drag him along, and he was too weak to even lift his head. I put this down to depressions due to the newly started semester, thought that he was sad because I wasn't with him all day long. The next day, he was back to normal. Last week it happened again - I took him to an animal clinic where he was x-rayed and operated at once, for there was an unusual change in the spleen. The veterinarian told me then "Not a chance." A tumour on the spleen with metastatic growth all over the liver. He could have removed the tumour, but that would only have meant four or six weeks of agony. I asked him to release my dog.

Ever since then, it seems like a part of me has died; never again will he greet me with a wagging tail when I come home, never again will we go for long walks, never again will I be lifted up when low.

We buried him in our garden with his favourite toys - there he now sleeps his endless sleep. I for one know for a fact that he is in a better place now, and looking down with sorrow on me who toils along this valley of tears, grieving, lost for words. It will be a long time before I can feel happy again.

Thanks for your time, my friend. I will never forget you.

Wolf

2004 - 2007

Stefan