"A dog will teach you unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won't be too bad."- Robert Wagner

' Today is my birthday. Every year I tell Rick not to get me anything and I mean it. But this year he broke the rule and got me a very special gift.

All you  long term blog readers know that in January of 2015 I had to put my dog Dexter to sleep. For those of you who are not here is the link
It was one of the hardest things I have every had to do and to this day I still cannot forgive myself even if I know it was the right thing to do.

So a month or so ago Rick and I went to the Waseca Art Center to see an exhibit by a young man that has been in the archery class Rick teaches.

Kevin Chen is a 14 year old that has unbelievable talent. I was so impressed with his art. I wanted to buy several of his works. I said in passing as we were admiring his work that I wonder if he would do a drawing of Dexter for me. I knew exactly which picture I would have him look at. Of course life got busy and I forgot about it.

Rick did not forget and even knew which picture of Dexter I was talking about.

Kevin did this wonderful charcoal picture for me of Dexter.

This is the picture that Kevin used as a model for his work. It is my favorite picture of Dexter. It was the last time he was truly happy and pain free.

I know Dexter was just a dog but he was my dog and I was his person and I still miss him. This was such a thoughtful and loving gift. It means the world to me.

Sharon