Friends, family, and those who appreciate my work and visit the site often... Please forgive the interruption in artwork viewing. Today is August 10th 2008 and I have just lost one my my closest and dearest friends, Jasmine. Thank you to the loves of my life, Kristi and Hannah, for standing by me through this. I cannot possibly extend my thanks enough for the countless doctors, around-the-clock technicians and assitants who challenged the odds over the past days to save my dear friend. Your compassion and kindness ensured she had the best possible chance and was well cared for throughout this ordeal. I am forever grateful and you will always be in my thoughts.

Artwork will return when the time is right.

To my dear friend Jasmine...

You came into my life at a time when I thought there was no one more fragile than myself.

I would watch you sleep for hours on end, doing all I could to ensure your safety. I have never been so afraid or doubtful in myself as taking on the responsibility of caring for you.

I watched you grow and explore, making new friends along the way.

You began as a lap dog and even after you reached fourty pounds, you still saw yourself as the same small puppy and continued to be a lap dog whenever given the chance.

Your curiosity and character were beyond question.

You grew...

and grew...

and grew...

and grew some more...

Never losing that gentle spark of curiosity and humor.

Through my darkest days you stayed with me, unwaivering.

You lived, ate, and slept by my side with each passing day. Your warmth carried me into peaceful slumber and you were always in the fold of my knee when I awoke.

You boldfully led me back to the world (sometimes dragging me by force) when the time was right...

and as I found true love, you found a true friend in Dax, and raised her as your own.

You were given a second chance in life... to move beyond the burdens of companionship and learn the life of a dog in all it's glory as you experienced your first snow...

and what it meant to just 'be' among nature. Not many people noticed, but you would always slow down to smell flowers as you passed... as if they had a special meaning for you. I always slowed my walk and would just watch you, wondering what you were thinking.

My happiest thoughts of you were the times we had at the tiny farmhouse. We both found new lives together. I will never forget seeing you and Dax running at top speed through the fields... I felt a surge of freedom from you and a sense of peace and happiness with your new life.

Jasmine, my dearest friend... thank you for being my true friend and saving me from the world and myself. Because of your unconditional love, joy, and companionship I am here to experience a life I never thought possible for myself. People often say that when you raise a dog, you should be the pack leader... thank you for ignoring that advice and taking the reigns for awhile. I can only hope that in those final moments as we laid together in the floor and I looked into your eyes until the very end that you knew and understood how much you have meant to me, and to this family. I remember the night years ago when I promised you that I would always be there to care for you and be by your side no matter what. I hope I lived up to that promise in every way.

You were the bringer of my light, my life and my love. Your passing has left a dark hole in my heart that I can only keep full with all the happiness you brought into being through your friendship.

I miss you my kind and gentle friend, and each of us will carry you in our hearts until the end of our days. Rest well knowing you are loved through and through. We will each remember you in those little moments when we catch ourselves reflecting on how such happiness is possible in one's life.

Goodbye beautiful one,

Kristi, Hannah, Wag, Dax, Zeebee and Charles

I miss you.