I still remember the day vividly, as if it were yesterday. I was woken up by my phone ringing. My girlfriend was on the other end, and quietly told me what had happened. I was in shock, and asked her several times if she was kidding me. I hung up the phone and immediately turned my computer on as I looked to the internet for some information. Most of the news sites were down due to heavy traffic, but I finally found one with some information.

I read in horror as story after story confirmed what had happened. I immediately began to freak out about family and friends on the East Coast and wondered if they were okay. I was desperate for information yet paralyzed by the atrocity of the events. Depressed and feeling helpless I sat in front of the computer and digested more and more of the gruesome information.

All through my torment, my dog Nadine was chewing her bone, scratching, nuzzling me with her nose, and relaxing. Why I had forgotten about her while I was pouring over the news is depressing, but I am thankful that I finally noticed her. I can remember stopping everything, and just looking into her innocent face. She had the most gentle look in her eyes, and her smile melted my heart. I remember sitting on the floor and holding her tight, crying and telling her how wonderful it was that she was so innocent, that she had no idea what had just happened, and that I was so grateful that she would never know.