Maya, our beloved girl, passed a few days ago. She was family for ten years. Many of our kittens and puppies were adopted from shelters over the last four decades. Some found us, and some came from neighbours and friends. Maya was adopted from a shelter when she was six weeks old. She was a talker and joined most of our conversations, including phone calls and online meetings. At seventy pounds, Maya outgrew lap-dog status in her second year. In the yard, she bit at streams of water, played with Diane and me in the garden, watched the birds at our feeders, rolled in the snow, and barked at dogs, horses, and people walking by the house. Her tail was always wagging, and her eyes and kisses welcomed family and strangers. She is beautiful, and we hope to hug her again in another life.