Our 15 year old dog, Rita passed away last week and my heart is both full and empty at the same time…..

It is full with the love and the many lessons that Rita left me with and it is at a loss without the daily gazes and gestures of love that I received from her every morning, noon and night.






Rita came to us later in her life and was angry, overweight, and arthritic. She had been turned in to a shelter by her family of 11 years. We took her in with the intent to help find her a new home and quickly realized that she was not the kind of dog that was adoptable…and so we welcomed her into our family.

Rita was VERY challenging for the first year of her new life with us—we literally felt like we needed to be rescued from her! We always joked that if Rita were a person she would no doubt have been in prison—she was that challenging.

But somehow In the process we fell in love with her, and she learned that she could trust us and count on us to be there for her. We were able to understand the many moods of the very sensitive and emotional girl that she was.





Rita taught us about always fighting for what you are passionate for…..and to never let yourself be intimidated. Ever! Except when it comes to kittens and loud noises…

Rita was always true to herself, for better or for worse.





Rita followed me everywhere and greeted me with exuberance and passion when I came home, chasing me around the house, charging me with abandon, no concern for life or limb.

Robbie always said that she had imprinted upon me like a duckling to its mother–but I know the truth is that she and I mutually imprinted upon each other.

She is with the angels now and in our hearts forever……





–Robindira