From the Editor's Desk: All Dogs Go to Heaven

"You brought the f**king Pomeranian bowling?"

"What do you mean brought it bowling, Dude? I didn't rent it shoes. I'm not buying it a f**king beer. He's not taking your f**king turn, Dude."

Sometimes, specific events, be them good or bad, define certain moments in your life. This week, for me, it's dogs. In the span of only a few days, my friend's dog had to be put to sleep, my other friend's dog had to be put to sleep, my other friend's dog was killed in a tragic accident (which I won't go into because I get choked up just thinking about it, and, subsequently, want to track down Michael Vic and throw him in an alligator pit) and we had to rush my dog to the vet because she hasn't stopped throwing up. I don't know how it happens, or why it happens, but it's been hard watching all of this come down (on people I really care about) day-after-day-after-day. Thankfully, my dog is doing better now -- but I sat with my friend last night, after he had returned from putting his dog to sleep, and talked to him for awhile about the dog, growing up with the dog and saying goodbye to the dog. It's difficult. I've been there before with previous dogs, and I know that -- as with most things -- laughter is always the best medicine.

Which is why I decided to kick off this post with a favorite quote of mine from a movie I shouldn't have to identify. If you don't know the movie I'm referring to, then you need to find out on your own and rent and/or buy it. Dude! And for those of you in similar situations, there are dog-friendly movies out there you can watch to help you snap out of the funk. Remember how people made fun of you for treating your dog like a human? Well, throw on Best in Show and see what happens when some folks take it a tad too far. Although the ending always scarred me as a kid, Turner & Hooch is a great example of how a dog ends up being the perfect companion even if you weren't looking for one. Helping children get through the death of a family pet is rough, so why not throw in All Dogs Go to Heaven, 101 Dalmatians or another Disney favorite, Lady and the Tramp -- then, afterwards, talk about how your dog is so much happier now up in doggie heaven, where food is unlimited and the water is always ice cold.

So, as a tribute to the dog's my friend's have just lost, and to all those dog owners out there grieving the loss of their best friend this week -- I leave you with the following quote from an unnamed author: "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am."

**Pictured: My dog, Leia, named after a famous Princess from a famous film that I shouldn't have to tell you the name of ...