When we rescued Joe 7 years ago to be my father's service dog, the shelter told us he was between 8-10 and every vet visit after that they said the same 8-10 years. For all this time, I joked that it meant he was immortal. I always wanted to believe that it was true. After all these years, after serving my dad and making his life as easy as it could be, after coming to college with me, after all the howls and after all the head tilts, the lost balls, the hugs he would give me as he would try and pet me back, Joe had his final rest this afternoon. He was light and he was love. He was compassion. He was grace and he was understanding. He was the most beautiful soul I have ever known and he was my best friend. Thank you for showing me what life is really about Joe. I will hold a place for you in my heart for the rest of my days.