Just for the hell of it, I was looking at Ellie's Puppy Album, remembering how very small our ROo once was. She's headed back to the vet on Monday for her annual checkup, hard to believe it's been almost a year since her Royal Silliness joined us.

Last night, Gus was laying on the couch looking at me on the other couch. I started talking to him "Gus, do you like your life here? Gus, are you the sweetest big old guy in the whole world?" after each question, he would moan in response. I do think he's the happiest old dog in the world.

And yes, for the first time since Alice's death, I've started to enjoy our dogs again. I still think of her constantly, will always miss her.