God Never Made A Better Dog Than Lady Princess Pepper McClinsey

My 10 year old Miniature Schnauzer apparently had a heart attack and gave up the ghost just as I got her to the vet. She'd been vomiting and not eating but I was encouraged that she was drinking water. I asked the vet if I should have brought her sooner, and he said there's just nothing that could have been done.

It's probably best that she at least got one more ride in the car, which she always loved, and I didn't have to make the decision to put her down.

I can still feel her. I had that dog since she was three weeks old. I've been the only constant in her life- girlfriends came and went and I had a divorce, but she always counted on me. Luckily, all the women that got to know her were decent enough to Love her and treat her well.

It bears mentioning that my wife, Dr. Brenna Carrigan-McClinsey, is the best Mother Princess ever had and I could tell there was a connection between them, much like how "Prinny" and I just knew we could rely on one another, now she knew there was another human being she could rely on.

Actually, my mother and father always fawned over her like she was an actual child- lots of unconditional Love there. All I'd have to do was say "Let's go see Grammy and Pop Pop" and she'd just and bark and butt her head into my legs to get me moving toward her leash. Then she'd grab the end of her leash and pull on it like she was going to try and walk herself. Good times.

She had all kinds of problems and spent the last half year of her life on antibiotics and steroids to control some skin issues, but I thought I'd get another 6 years or so with her. We always had Schnauzers in my family and when I moved out on my own, the first thing I did was get one of my own- and now I really don't know how to deal. I know there are worse things, but this is hitting me hard. Which is why I'm typing this at 3:38 in the morning.

I'm going to try and focus on all the good times with her. I had her for most of her 10 years and 25 days. That's 3,675 days and that's something to be thankful for.

As my Grandfather was known to say, "Now the healing begins".

Here's my baby: