I’ve thought about this check in email from Kathy Jackson, the followup coordinator for Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin/San Antonio, many many times over the years:

“You have had an adventure with Max.. God Bless you…

I had one in the last few years that I would NEVER have adopted if I had know how traumatized he was. He died in June, and I really think I will grieve him worse than any other cocker I have ever loved. For some reasons, the rough ones imbed in our hearts in a more significant way.

I am glad you are not giving up on him; he has had so many homes.”

My friend Kai commented on the original Facebook Post:

The hard ones are always the best ones. I think we miss them more because of the extra time we spend helping them learn that life is full of love and that not all people suck. Love you my friend.