For Bash

Sebastian is our first child, our furry golden god of the passenger seat. He has protected us and our home, cheered us up when we have succumbed to self-pity, kept watch over us while we were sick, and been a good sport about toddlers flopping all over him. He’s enjoyed rousing games of Frisbee, hide and seek, and find the binky (where it was usually found under his tongue). In his youth, there were many, many good walks that we never would have taken had he not plopped the leash in our laps and gently suggested we all needed some exercise. In fact, he often wandered over and placed his big head on our knees to remind us that we were staying up too late or had forgotten to eat, in an effort to keep us as healthy as possible. Perhaps most generously, in deference to my obsession, he has never once chewed up any shoes—even the fine leather ones, though he has masticated his fair share of toy cars and done some unmentionable things to a number of throw pillows.

At thirteen, his big, furry body just couldn’t contain all the goodness he’d built up, and it was time for him to move on to the next phase in his plan. Thank you for all the good times, Bash. Don’t worry about us; you taught us as much as we were ready to learn. We’ll miss you, buddy. Remember, you’ll always be “Our Sunshine.” We know you are happy—wherever you are.

Sebastian "Golden Boy" 1995-2008