He was my first dog.  We met at an adoption fair.  The room was full of people and dogs on that beautiful Saturday afternoon and the ensuing scene can be found in any sappy romance movie.  Our eyes met across the tumult and he stood upright.  Dragging the two bags of sand designed to minimize his enthusiastic spirit, he walked to my chair and, as would become a tradition in following years, he placed his chin on my knee and locked his eyes on mine.

And in that moment, I knew I had been chosen.  We were best friends for well over a decade.  His name was Ahab.

He was a family treasure.  He would travel to my childhood home with me, go to my dying Mother's chair and lift her hand with his nose, placing it on his head.  And this brought her such joy.

Her first question was always, "Is Ahab coming with you?"  And so it was that Ahab became a grandchild.

Ahab passed on several days ago.

And amidst my human grief, I am reminded of the truths granted by a spiritual perspective.

I am reminded that his life never belonged to me; that I was simply the privileged companion of a very wise soul who arrived with a unique destiny which only he can fulfill.

I am reminded that his life did not begin when he garnered his body and that his life did not end when he released that body; that while he has moved beyond the horizon of my sight, he is not truly gone.

I am reminded that each of us will one day follow Ahab over that horizon; that it is both universal and natural.

And I am reminded that at the end of the day in each of our relationships, it is only the love that matters.

And I know Ahab moves beyond this experience knowing - deeply knowing - that he was fully loved and fully loveable.  And that gift was returned to me.

And such is always a blessing to the world.