The extraordinary story of Flora Kass, in my life, began in 2012 when I started being her doggie sitter to earn through the years my fairy mother status. From the first time I met La Princesita, her free spirit and joyful soul captured my heart. “La mera, mera,” was the perfect alarm clock requesting her meals right on time, or sometimes a little earlier. Her paws would be inside of her bowl or she would turn her blue bowl upside down, claiming attention to her needs for FOOD! Her “din din”! “La Nena consentida” had touched hundreds of “amiguitos”’ hearts, among them humans, self-selected doggies like Rosie and Baba, and her household chickens that were greeted by her as she jumped against their fence! I would invite this cute Terror Terrier, “Let’s go and say hi to the chickens,” and she would take off as a torpedo through her doggie door, towards many squirrels, the invaders of her spaces, flies, bees, favorite Mt Tabor and Laurelhurst parks, beaches, campgrounds, Portland Nursery staff in SE Stark where she represents a legend, neighborhood sidewalks with delicious figs, truffles, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and tangerines offered from Sue, her mom’s hand. Flo’s spirit, deep trust combined with her ridiculously beautiful appearance, which also included her mohawk hairstyle, transcended my understanding of her unconditional presence. The truffle hunter in her showed me her determination to “get it” out of the earth and indulge with grace and joy with the deserved price at the end! Our pajama parties lying down near the fireplace after our routine of brushing teeth with her Sesame Street toothbrush, and then being held and rocked to bed, one of our many moments of joy and peace closing a day! Our trips in the car where the Sleeping Beauty rested to recharge her battery to then have a lot of fun running and chasing seagulls or attacking the surfboards. “La brujita del vecindario,” glued to the first or second floor’s window at her house, with her piggies, “hipito, salchichita”, and stuffed animals, monitoring, patrolling, and watching her Netflix series of beings walking on HER sidewalk and barking her lungs out. The protector/guardian…the ”beware of dog” sign reminded us all of the great powers of this small being! The curious Flora who dug into my backpack with her small face searching for HER treats! She could not keep that as a secret treasure! “La enfermera” in “La Princesa” who visited me and placed herself tenderly next to me as I needed to heal or mourn from a fall or a loss. The soft paw extending love forever imprinted in my heart. Gracias, gracias, gracias. The noble Drama Queen in her touched vulnerabilities of what a rich life is all about and what age brings with it. You taught many of us how to run unafraid and free, age with grace, and to radiate love with each step. My precious Flora Kass, Doggie heaven is fortunate to have YOU chasing happiness, peace, and love. Gracias. Gracias. Gracias precious Nena!