"Dieder was my little ward, my sidekick and housemate. His parents' owners put him up for adoption when he was eight weeks old and I gladly accepted the honor and responsibility of ensuring his comfort, safety, happiness and well-being. An English Springer Spaniel of a particularly noble lineage, there were a number of champions in his bloodline, but he was never shown. He was under my care almost ten years, until November 13th, 1999, when he died suddenly of leukemia.

He was rarely demanding, always stating requests with utmost subtlety and perfect manners. An attentive listener, he understood a surprising number of human terms and continued surprising me by picking up new ones. He understood introduction by name when meeting a new person or creature. He assumed the duty of guarding me and mine with absolute determination. His primary interest was to accompany me on errands in our pickup truck. It is easy to remember his kindness to me.

Earlier in my life, I thought I'd had deep feelings and attachments to friends and family, but knowing and caring for Dieder taught me things that have served to open my heart even wider to others that remain in my life. I'm not what one might call devout and, though some suggest otherwise, not even deeply spiritual, but now I choose to believe and hope that somehow, the truth is that our friendship hasn't ended and we will meet again; to go for more rides and walks and other travels we missed this time. He remains the best friend I've ever had or ever will have."