A boy and his dog.

Butters, short for Buttercup, and her "dad" Brian a couple of months ago.

In Oregon, everyone travels with a dog or two, to the grocery store,  the dentist, the beach, even to the work place. Dogs behave beautifully everywhere, on or off leash, waiting patiently  in the back of a pickup. not panicking or attacking anyone who approaches them.
We have come to accept the presence of dogs everywhere.

But Butters and Brian live(d) in Southern California where it is very unusual to see dogs act so friendly and so calmly when they accompany their people. Butters and Brian were well matched in character and energy. Brian fed her a special diet of raw meat to keep her lean and fit, and devoid of allergies. Weekly, he'd take Butters to the dog beach, to chase after balls, or sticks. He walked her before going to work, and after he returned home.

Brian loved dogs. He had lost his childhood companion, a mutt called Woolly, while he was in college. For years after that, as he moved from one apartment to another, he dreamed of a day when he could move to his own house and have another dog. Two years ago, he purchased a house and a big yard. Butters, a yellow lab pup,  joined him three weeks later.

After Brian's death, we looked for someone to adopt Butters.  A young man who had been the house sitter and dog sitter  stepped up. The two of them are well matched in enthusiasm and energy. We were happy for her, and glad the young man's family agreed to the adoption.

Through the weeks when the garden was coming together, Brian's friends took turns taking her to the dog park, or around the block for her usual walks.  Butters is quite strong and energetic, and while she is quite docile indoors, she needs to run and play.

Butters will continue to remind us of what a great life the two of them had together.

(she has a facebook page!)