puma was so incredibly loved. she came into my life when she was 3 years old, after enduring the abusive life of a professional racer. she was beautiful and sleek, the softest dog you have ever touched. a true specimen of a dog. but more than her beauty, she had a golden heart. despite the rough hand life had dealt her, she was never ever anything but sweet and loving. people fell in love with her. felt that she was more than just a dog, but a real blessing. a creature greater than this world. she adjusted quickley into her new life with me, a life where I could spoil her, let her sleep with me in the most comfortable of beds, love her like crazy, and show her the world. she went with me everywhere, and usually without a leash. she was free to explore to her own whims. and she loved me! our first two weeks together, we didnt leave eacothers sides for even a second. when I finally left her alone for the first time, it was only 20 minutes, but the greeting I recieved! jumping and prancing and dancing for joy, singing with delight! my girl. she was mostly my lazy girl, content to be in a comfortable spot dozing for hours, but her spurts of energy were a joy. her circle dancing and running like you had never seen a dog run before. she had fun with life. puma and I had our sturggles as well. when she was 4 years old she got very ill, and was diagnosed with diabetes. we learned about how to manage it, and she was given two shots of insulin every day, not to mention all the blood draws to check her blood sugar. she never complained, never cried. she waited for her shots after every meal. that was not her only struggle. I was a heroin addict, and she went through all the pain and suffering of addiction. she was there when I overdosed. she was there when I didnt want to live anymore, but stayed around because I knew I had to be there for her. I would not be where I am today if it wasnt for her. she gave me a reason to live, a reason to get off drugs and do well in my life. she was my only joy in a bleak world. and we were successful together! I have stayed clean for many years, for which i give thanks to my puma. through the years we added another member to the family, a crazy puppy named lucia. puma was forever patient with this loud, needy, and often annoying addition. she was always kind and never jealous of her new sister. and lucia looked up to her, loved her so much. puma slowly started to go blind, probably due to her diabetes. she had some accidents, but continued to live life with joy and love. she trusted me to lead her. I could never descrbe the love I have for that dog. she was the sweetest creature I have ever known. since she has been gone I feel a huge void, I feel like I have lost an essential part of myself. my life feels empty. she died suddenly, and I struggle with the fact that I did not get to say goodbye to her when she was concious. I never expected that she would die. but I live to honor her memory, live the life I know she would have wanted for me. I think about our times together, and it makes me laugh. I think about the way she looked me with her sparkeling amber eyes. puma, thank you for sharing your life with me, thank you for loving me, thank you for saving my life. I will forever love you through infinity. you are my angel.