So after Forrest passed I wanted to start a Foundation… basically something that would try to raise money for dog charities such as Malinois Rescue, etc. I even registered a couple domain names.

Anyway… the accountant was pretty adamant (the word, not the singer… and I’m just too lazy to check my spelling right now) that I shouldn’t go this route. He advised that I would spend more in accounting fees for a non-profit than would be worth it, and I’d be better off donating money on my own directly.

So… here I am with a domain name of TeamForrest.com and nothing to do with it. So it hits me… why not get a d/b/a for my company, and change my logo.

And there you go. The Palner Group is now Team Forrest. The logo should come as no suprise.

I brought him home yesterday and placed his bandana around the urn and put his favorite toy next to it. I’m hoping things will start to pick up now and am getting ready for the Vegas trip coming up on saturday.

I’m very thankful that people are letting me keep to myself right now. It’s still a little difficult to talk and I’m appreciative of the alone time.

In memory of my puppy Forrest, I branded myself with the following:

They say that we should be thankful for the pain we feel with the loss of a loved one; as the pain we feel is a measure of the love felt for them. If this is the case, then I must have loved Forrest more than I’ve loved anything else in my life.

When I posted the previous post about having a bad day, I would have never had imagined that December 20, 2006 would become perhaps the worst day of my life.

When I woke up that morning, Forrest wasn’t doing well and after a trip to the vet’s I learned that he had developed a massive growth that could not be removed and was causing him great pain. Within 14 hours of the last post, Forrest was gone and I would begin to experience the worst days of my life.

I know Forrest may have been “just a dog.” But to me, Forrest was a combination of my best friend, my daily companion, and something that I loved more than anything else. His abscence is tremendous. I miss him deeply and am only now starting to make it more than an hour without breaking into tears.

I’m starting a new foundation in his name to help/provide assistance to rescue organizations, service dogs, etc. and will post more info.

Shitty start generally leads to a shitty day. But there’s a bright point. Between a month where nothing seems to work right for me, and Forrest’s deteriorating health I received my Hanukwanzika gift from my sister and from Martin.

My sister gave me a very nice cigar over’s kit complete with my first ash tray. I don’t think I know how to smoke a cigar without ashing onto the floor, but this kit is so awesome I must learn.

Martin gave me a subscription to Atkins at home, making sure that by this time next year my goal of no longer being morbidly obese should be realized.

Update — Forrest has passed away.