The Last Gift You Give Your Dog

Saying goodbye to your best friend

On Wednesday, June 18th, I had to say goodbye to my dog, Gemma—something not made easier by the fact that this was a long time coming.

Last year, when I worked with a professional dog trainer, Pete Campione, to publish his first book, it was one of the few times when a client gave me just as much advice as I gave him.

Gemma had already been suffering from mobility problems for years due to a spinal malformation, and had also had surgery on her cruciate ligament (dog’s ACL) to give her just a little more time with us. Part of the reason he hired me over other writers was that he could tell I loved Gemma the same way he loved his dogs.

Pete has a lot to say about dogs and our relationship with them that differs from what the tv dog trainers have to say, and it was a pleasure to work with him. The last chapter of Canine Conversations, in particular, was revelatory. I recommend the whole book; it’s an entertaining and educational read (Pete is a New York Italian and it comes through in the …