After a horrible three days, Greta went to sleep forever with her head in my lap around 7 pm on Monday, October 23rd. She's my baby girl, the best friend any human being could ever ask for and I was privileged beyond average comprehension to have shared the intimate bond that was unique to us. It is my hope that every human being has that chance, to know true love without words, to be so perceptive of their loved one that they can interpret signals unreadable by anyone around, to be protected and loved unconditionall y by a soft and wonderful beast that makes people cross the street, but wants nothing more than to show affection. I have no doubt that, over the years, Greta has protected me from numerous dangers time and time again. She saved my 85-year old grandfather from a murderer in 1999. She inspired me to commit myself to photography for several years, during which time a collection featuring Greta in black and white was in a Seattle gallery for a month.
So often I read a story about a man or a woman or a child with his or her dog. Most often the dog is just tagging along, heeling obediently, padding softly, patted on the head, and fed table scraps. Not Greta. If I am to look back on the past decade of my life with honesty, it was most often Greta that walked in the limelight while I tagged along. I would not have gone on so many wilderness excursions had it not been for Greta (and Lou) and I would not have felt outgoing and I would not have wished to live sometimes, if it weren't for Greta. In this case, it was the dog who led the way. It is the dog who still lights the beacon that I am traveling toward.
In my heart, in my mind, for the rest of my life, this protective, loving, clown Greta is woven throughout my being. And in some way I believe she will make an impact on many others that I will come in contact with, even though they will never know it.