Ripley (Sunfire's Talented Mr. Ripley)

Ripley was the most wonderful companion, full of love and mischief, who gave of himself to every member of the family. He lived a full dog life, although he succumbed to cancer at age 12 1/2. It came suddenly, and, mercifully, he did not suffer long, and was blessed, during the years before with good health, an active life, and one filled with love. He never, and I mean never, met a person he did not like, and I often said that if he had hands he would have made coffee for people when they came over. He made every day more fun, and enjoyed trips to the park, walks, and even watching TV. Mostly he enjoyed stealing socks, a pastime he never stopped enjoying, even into his dotage. We all miss him every day. He was our third Golden, and the third Golden we lost to cancer. However, there is too much dog love in this house for there not to be a dog, and we now have another, because Ripley would have wanted it that way-- not a replacement of him, but just another relationship filled with dog love. The pain of his loss, although so acute, could never outweigh the sheer joy of his presence. He will be in our hearts forever.