The Golden Retriever pup, soon to be our dear Wendell, marched up to Karen at the breeder's kennel, and promptly climbed onto her lap. Case closed; he was the one. After years of having GSDs we opted to bring this dear Good Boy into our lives and hearts.

Prince Wendell (named after the enchanted Prince in the TV mini-series The Tenth Kingdom) was a clown prince his entire life. He made a total shambles out of the obedience class we enrolled him in; yet, his erstwhile teacher Paula grew to love him as he became a favorite in her doggie daycare (hogging all of the toys while guarding the door).

As a youngster Wendell spent many miles riding behind the seats of our little '75 MG Midget on car club trips, much to the amusement of other drivers.

Wendell raised our current crop of three girl kitties, being the patient big brother to them as they groomed his face and ears. His favorite was always Charlie, our mostly grumpy Calico, who constantly vied for attention by head butting her dear big older "brother."

Karen and Wendell enjoyed many, many long walks around Forest Grove; so very often hearing folks remark on how beautiful our Good Boy was. Wendell never missed a chance to invite a stranger to be so kind as to pet him and give him some loving attention; he was humble like that!

As his pace slowed, and his enjoyment of life ebbed, we knew that his 14 years were catching up to the sad reality of his leaving us. Yet, this, his last, Winter he still threw himself down and made Doggie Snow Angels in the fresh snow which covered our backyard a time or two. Always irrepressible he pushed on until we had to basically carry him in and out of the house; then at the time of his choosing he lay down and breathed his last as Karen kept watch on the floor beside him.

The deep, deep feeling of loss has been there, of course, with the passing of every one of the "fur children" we've brought into our hearts and lives in nearly 55 years of marriage. Yet, Prince Wendell must forever hold a most special place; his total being was evident in those sweet brown eyes looking at you and saying "I totally Love you, and aren't I just the best Good Boy ever!"