My dog Elton died last year on June 13. We honor the anniversaries of people’s deaths, but it feels a little strange saying publicly, ” my dog died one year ago today.” But the thing is, for so many of us, our pets really are part of the family. Except dogs are more forgiving than family members. In eight years we fought twice: the first time when he picked up a dead bird in his mouth in the park and wanted to carry it home. The second, when I put reindeer antlers on his head for a Christmas photo; then he actually snapped at me and bit my hand, but not enough to break the skin. Both times he forgave soon after the incident was over, ready for more joy. Can we possibly learn to be like that?
