Thanks, y'all!

First, thank you all for the e-mails, text messages, phone calls and pats on the (thankfully mostly healed) shoulder. Thank you, Pat, for being a friend in time of need. I've gotta heal up so I can spend more time riding with you.

Second, I've reached a conclusion. It helps this mortal human to be there when his pet slips the mortal coil. One minute, she was lying on the table, desperately trying to sit up to see what was going on and loudly participate in the festivities. And then she was gone. Only the lifeless body remained. And then she was the massive collection of memories and nothing more. We'll miss ya, Maggie. You had a great run, though, and we're pretty sure you never held back - always told us exactly what you thought. Or at least that's what I think all that yowling was.

Third, I'm trying to come up something sadder than driving around with an empty PetPorter™. If you know what it is, please don't share. I don't think I want to know.