THE FOOTNOTES

Sonny Jones, Angel of Mercy (AOM), joined all her friends in heaven on January 26, 2007. AOM enjoyed 14 years of good health, unbridled affection, and about as many cookies as any hound could handle. We should all have a life like hers! She enjoyed long walks, quiet evenings at home, and occasionally a bit of rump-biting...sort of like the single crowd here in Atlanta! AOM (aka "Birdface") was sort of a New Englander at heart -- she wasn't prone to needless wagging and didn't need validation from strangers (not like those needy laborador retrievers and people from California)...no, AOM, was very reserved until she knew you well. Once you were part of the inner circle, she was extremely loyal. I loved that about her. She would never run away from home or jump into someone else's car. Such a sensible girl.

After 14 years together -- through a divorce, dissertation, and multiple moves around the country -- I can honestly say that Sonny was my best friend. Sure, she bit a few repairmen and a couple of landlords (they probably provoked her), but she was always a loving friend and companion to me, even when I didn't deserve it. Like any good friend, Sonny reminded me of something: although we all bite sometimes, we can still try to love people with all our hearts, even when they don't deserve it.