I lost a friend today. She was a friend even though I never met her. She was not famous. She did not sport a fancy pedigree, or lots of show dog titles. But she captured my heart through the lens of her owner’s camera.

Several weeks ago, Ella’s “momperson” found enlarged lymph nodes on her. The diagnosis was grim. Large cell lymphoma. Not generally responsive to treatment. Ella’s wonderful brimming positive personality was not able to overcome this adversary. Her wonderful ears have laid down for the last time.

I will miss you, Ella. I will miss hearing about your wonderful personality, and I will miss seeing those ears. My heart and all my deepest sympathies go out to Ella’s human family.

Cancer devastates many owners of various types of dogs every year. We all feel so helpless in the face of such things, but there is something you can do.

Please visit the National Canine Cancer Foundation, and make your donation today.