Tonight, my heart hurts. I am crushed and feeling devastated. My Burtie. My Burtie Girl, passed on today. During one of her much-loved escape-artists walks, she ventured too close to the road on Lerdo Hwy (Lerdo Hwy has historically caused some major sorrow in my life). To say that I lost a friend doesn't do it justice. Burtie was more than a great friend to me. She was the only one with me when I got the call that my mom had passed. She was there for me as I mourned. She would just lay her head on my lap and let me cry for hours. She was there for me when I got up the courage to go back to school. She patiently waited next to me as I studied throughout pharmacy school. After graduation, she supported me by laying beside me as I studied for the boards. She was a napper, much like myself, but she loved a good walk. Trips to the beach were probably her favorite thing ever, along with car rides, sleeping in, and earning treats (she was a pro at shaking, rolling over, sitting, and laying down...on command). She was a friend, partner in crime, and a great sister to her brother, Nanaimo. I would not do Burtie justice without commenting on her magical escape-artist capabilities. I think she prided herself on escaping through electric and 6ft fences just to go on walks and explore. In Stockton, she once tried to run away with the FedEx man...I mean she just jumped in the truck, thinking she'd get to go for a ride. Then there was the time she ran through someone's house at the beach to take a shortcut to the sand...that was slightly embarrassing. All in all, I really feel as though Burtie was my soul mate - I mean, she was always able to read my mood because she always knew just how to make me feel better. She has been a part of our family for 5 years. I'm not quite sure where to go from here, without her.
My Burtie helping me study in pharmacy school.
Our family. We will all miss her. We already miss her. 
Burtie and her Dad. 
Burtie soaking up the sun on the boat during a camping trip. Yes, that's a cammo life vest.
