[Tony Radford]

It always breaks my heart when I read posts about lost pets and I'm always thankful that my old miniature Pincher of 17 years is still with me. But yesterday while visiting my sister, Gus fell in her swimming pool and drowned before we could get him out. Seeing my younger sister in the pool holding his little lifeless body to her chest like a lost child and screaming "God, no!" was just too much. I held brief hope we could revive him as I held him the way I've done for almost two decades while knowing my little buddy was gone for good. The three hour drive back to Atlanta with my friend in a bag instead of my lap is high on my list of sad moments. I have a hard time dealing with things like this. I know this is a tragedy that's played out everyday, but when it happens to you - it really hurts. I know that only time heals such a feeling, but I sure wish my heart had a fast-forward button.