If you are lucky enough to have a soul mate stop reading now and go give them a hug.

Judy and I lost our soul mate this morning. Boomer would have been 11 August 4.

I sent my friend Marianne Thomason in Newnan an email Sunday asking if she knew anyone in touch with Lewis Grizzard. I needed to know if Catfish was waiting for him at the Pearly Gates.

Boomer was diagnosed with a liver tumor less than a week ago. We went to such an extent to spend time with him during that time that he probably was wishing we would just shut up and let him alone. But, turning him loose was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

When he was only a few weeks old he was sitting on my lap one night. Judy, from a sofa across the room said, "He's yours. I'm not getting attached."

I said, "Boomer, where's your Mama?" He turned and looked her straight in the eye. There went her heart!

I've had a lot of dogs over the years. But, Boomer was different. He was special. Brenda told me several days ago, "Don't think you will ever find another Boomer. He is a once in a lifetime."

If Boomer could put his two cents worth in here, he would say, "Thank you!" to all his many friends, and he had a lot of them.

It hurts. It hurts a lot losing Boomer. But, I guess it is supposed to when there's that much love and dedication.