Stanley the wise...

 Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

~Roger Caras

Stanley was the wise old man of his pack.

He was a great dog. He was a great friend. And today we had to say goodbye.

Stanley and TDW were lucky to find each other about 16 years ago. They were family. From time to time the family expanded - Hugo and Ruby were rescued. A diverse family, there weren't only people and dogs in this bunch, cats (Josephine and Betty) belonged too.
  

Stanley welcomed my crazy dogs and me for walks and adventures over the past few years. He did so with grace and patience and charm.

How lucky we are to have known and loved Stan. We won't forget him.

Photos here of better days:

Stanley, the wise and noble

TDW, the pack, and friends (roughly R-L: Scruff, Paddy, Ruby, Hugo, Stanley).

Ruby and Stanley

Hugo, Stanley and Ruby about to enjoy the "swimming hole" at the springs.

Rest in peace, Stanley, good and faithful friend.


Final Note:

I searched for some of these photos in old posts. I found a Thanksgiving post that pretty well says it all (and better than I can today - heartbroken today). You may want to check it out too.

 http://walkinthepark-padimus.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-if-thanksgiving-walk-with-dogs.html

I lied. This is the final note - really the final word - from TDW:

"There isn't much I can say to do justice to how special he was other than to say he was a really good dog which is special in a way that people only wish they could be."