Just thought that I would post (sorry it has been so long) to let you all know that one of the good ones passed away last week.  If any of you knew our family and Darren in specific, you were probably given the treat of meeting one of the neatest dogs I have ever met.  Her name was Mia and she was a Jack Russel mix that Darren found wandering around a school some 17 years ago.  She was a stray and had nowhere to go.  At first, she had a very timid nature and we thought she might have been abused.  But with some love, she flourished as a pet.  She was a faithful companion to not only my brother, but to our whole family.  She was well mannered, smart, loyal and just a great dog to be around.  She was an avid ball chaser almost to a fault.  She would get so tired but if you were willing to throw, she was willing to give chase.  Unfortunately, after her long and dedicated service to my brother and our family, she passed away on August 1, 2008 in the afternoon.  She didn't suffer that we know of and she passed peacefully on her way to her favorite spot in the backyard.  These are once in a lifetime pets and if you have one, you know what I mean.  So if you do, take some time to give your dog, cat or other pet a good scritch and cherish those moments.

Mia 
1991 - 2008