I have to admit. Mom and Dad told me what you wrote on Sunday. I have put off reading this knowing full well it would break me. Excellent writing brother.

Here are a few things I remember about my "brother" Luke

-He was always eager to please and even though he was in pain and coughing up blood, he knew it made us sad when he did this. It is as if he would pretend to be healthy all day and fall apart every evening.

-Every Christmas we put presents under the tree for him. He knew there were gifts for him but wouldn't touch them until Christmas morning. We would say, "Luke, go get your present." He would sniff out a gift, bring it to the center of the room and delicately hold it down with his paw and carefully open it with his teeth.

-Luke did not like it when people hugged or kissed. When I was a teenager and had a boy over, mom and dad would leave us alone but demand that my "brother" stay in the room. If ever a boy tried to get fresh, Luke would immediately sound the alarm. If I ever have a teenage daughter, I hope to teach my dog this same trick.

Well done Steve.

Callie