July 2000, in a crowded animal shelter in Huntington Beach I first set eyes on my girl. She was an emaciated 35 pounds; ears chewed down and tufts of hair missing on her head. I was told she had been picked up on a busy intersection in Costa Mesa. How did I know she was my dog? It was something in her eyes. Initially, when you tried to pet her, she flinched at a hand coming over her head. In a few months there was a miraculous transformation, she put on 25 pounds, wounds healed, ears grew back and upright, she loved people. Her soul was gentle and forgiving. She became the first (maybe second) German Shepherd to qualify as a therapy animal in the county. This was her true calling. She instinctually gravitated to those her needed her. She transformed many lives working in assisted care homes, libraries schools and South Coast Medical Center in Laguna Beach, where she worked for ten years. Staff always commented that she REALLY interacted with the patients. She was a very REAL therapy dog and she was never off duty, it was who she was. Ceilidh took care of her grandpa when he lost his vision. She would take him out for walks and instinctively block him from stepping over a curb or an object in his way. She gently picked up a wandering hamster and put him in his cage. She was a true gift and I like to think God may have a greater purpose for her now. She has a special place in so many hearts; she was a true fur angel, the gentlest of souls. *A note from Ceilidh's mom: I wish to thank each and every one of you who have taken the time to comment on Ceilidh. The pain of her loss is comforted each time I read your responses and personal encounters with her. To those who knew her I want to thank you for recognizing how truly special she was. After much searching I found this prayer to be of some comfort to me and I'd like to share it with you: My beloved God, I thank you for blessing me with the angel that you sent to me as my Ceilidh. I know that this divine one came from your Grace, as my very days were blessed by your presence of that one in my life. For this I am grateful. My heart is released from the burden of sadness in knowing that we will be reunited again when we return to our true home in Heaven. Please help me through my loss with the understanding and knowing that my Ceilidh remains with me in spirit, loving me still as I love her. Thank you for giving me time with this divine angel, whom you sent directly from your love. I have been truly blessed. Amen