Today at Pets Alive, we lost our canine behaviorist.
Today I lost one of my closest friends.
Today the dogs of the world lost an amazing advocate.
I’ve started and stopped this blog a dozen times because I don’t think there is any way that I can get the words to come out right.
To try to explain to you all how much he meant to me personally, how much he helped me, how much he meant to our organization, how much he meant to the dogs here.
There wasn’t a dog here that wouldn’t see Pat coming and start wagging their tails.
Dogs that most people would have given up on, he couldn’t wait to start working with. He would be delighted to find out there was a new project dog coming in, and would immediately start devising a plan for them.
Pat had off Sunday’s and Monday’s but because he lived at Pets Alive he was never “off” and would most days come down and help volunteers, or walk the more difficult dogs or spend some extra time with a new dog or a shy dog.
I loved Pat.
I can’t even explain to you how much he meant to me.
He would come horse back riding with myself and my husband, or hiking with me and Karen, or kayaking with me for 5 hours at a pop. He was just a GREAT friend.
Pat was NEVER judgmental. You could tell him anything at all and he wouldn’t judge you, or anyone else.
He never spread gossip. He never had a cross or rude word to say about anyone. In all the years I knew him I don’t think I ever once heard him say a negative thing about another person.
Pat was also the guy that you could sit in the middle of any group of people – rednecks, snobs, hillbillies, democrats, republicans, liberals – it didn’t matter….Pat could talk to anyone and carry a conversation and he always had something interesting to say or add to any conversation.
Also in all the time that I knew him, I never once ever ever heard any person have a complaint, derogatory remark or criticism of Pat. EVER. I don’t know anyone else in my life that I can say that about. Everywhere you go, someone doesn’t like SOMEBODY else. But not Pat. EVERYONE liked Pat. Everyone. He was just that kind of guy.
He was humble. He was self deprecating. He was funny. He was game to try anything. He was so much fun to be around.
He and I rode our motorcyles together, we hiked, we kayaked, we went out drinking…. and no matter what any of us suggested, Pat would give it a try. We even dragged him to Zumba classes! He went, and laughed and said at the end that maybe it wasn’t for him.
I learned a great deal from Pat. I learned that often there is more than one solution to a problem. That may sound oddly simple but I think I used to get caught up in “THE” answer. Pat taught me that there were a lot of answers and one may not really be better than another.
Pat taught me to look at problems and be able to see solutions that might not be the ordinary fit. He taught me to think differently.
“Technically” I was Pat’s boss, but whenever I had a serious issue or a problem, he was always the person I would go to and discuss it or twirl it around in his head and see what came out. He made me see failure as a growing experience and not something to be upset about.
Some days when the stress of my day got to me I’d seek him out and I would pretty much accost him, usually as he was walking a vicious dog. I would start talking a mile a minute and start petting the dog and patting my chest for the dog to jump up on me ,while he smiled at me and advised softly that he had just been teaching the dog that jumping was not something you do when greeting visitors. Oops. 🙂 And he would laugh a little and say he was done anyway and why didn’t we go get some coffee?
He was a great person to talk to you when you were upset or stressed because he had such a calming and soft way about him. I so enjoyed his company and so loved doing things with him, or having conversations about tons of different subjects. Pat was super smart and had a lot of knowledge about so many things.
For almost a year we hunted for houses with him. His requirements were small. A tiny living space, a tiny place to wash up, and a HUGE garage! That was what he was looking for…and any of us that saw such a dilapidated shack with a HUGE garage would immediately call him and then run back out there with him to check it out. Nine times out of ten the garage was too small. (I tried to explain to him that people living in dilapidated shacks didn’t build big four car garages, but he never really got that). He never cared about the living space…but he had DEFINITE opinions about the garage.
Before Pat came we had about a 10% rate of returns for dogs. After Pat came we had about a 2% rate of return. And the 2% that came back, he would usually “fix” about 1.9% of THOSE and they’d be back out and adopted in a short time. Pat was a wizard with dogs. I’ve been around dogs my whole life, I absolutely love dogs and I know dogs really well – but everything I knew would fit into a thimble compared to how much Pat knew about dogs. And it wasn’t from classes and training and seminars. Yes Pat took all those classes and got all his degrees, but Pat was really self taught. I spent endless hours talking to him about dogs and training and the “why’s” and the “why-nots”. He said most of his training was done by watching a dog and figuring out what the dog wanted.
Pat was instrumental in getting Robert back on his feet and standing and then walking and finally running again. He was one of the few that was able to befriend Kyla.
He helped the the aggressive, the lost, the scared – any dog that was abused or mistreated could find a friend again and learn to trust again because of Pat.
I remember when he flew out here to help us work with a really shy dog named Amelia. If you haven’t read that story and how much Pat changed her life, and taught us, you can read it here.
I remember when he first walked Cam….the most vicious dog we had ever seen. It took Pat about three days to have Cam out and on a leash and now Cam is a staff and volunteer favorite and handled and loved by many people.
I remember when we were about to do the Arkansas rescue. We had no idea what we were getting into. I called Pat and at the time he was still working for Best Friends and I asked him if he could come and help us. He did. He took some vacation time, flew to Arkansas on his own dollar, and helped us for three days out there while we figured out what we had, what we were looking at, and the reality of the situation. When I started to lose it with the crazy guy running this “rescue”, Pat was the voice of reason that intervened and got the contract for surrender signed.
Pat was just….awesome.
He was so funny too. He had a dry sense of humor, but he had a very funny dry sense of humor.
A group of us from Pets Alive go out to eat about once a week and Pat would always join us. This week he wasn’t feeling well and turned us down for the first time. He had a cough for the past few weeks and also cancelled training class this past Saturday which was very odd for him. We all figured he was coming down with the flu. But the reality was that he was very sick…and while results are not back yet, it appears he had a heart attack. One of the healthiest and fittest men I knew. It is almost unfathomable.
I know this blog is jumbled and disoriented, but that is how I feel and I can’t seem to get the usual flow of words tonight. I invite you all to write in the comments your own memories of Pat and how he changed you, or your dog.
I keep hoping and praying that I will go to sleep tonight and when I wake up in the morning this will all have been a bad dream and Pat will be out walking his dogs, Timber and Kipling, and I will start talking too fast and he will say that maybe it is time we go to my office and have some coffee. I have a feeling though that won’t happen. That Pat is truly and really gone from this world.
And my heart weeps on that reality.
Today Pets Alive lost a great man.
Today I lost a great friend.
Today the world lost a remarkable soul.
RIP Pat.
I will never, ever, ever, forget you.
You will always be a part of me, a part of Pets Alive, a part of Best Friends, and a part of every person you touched.
Most of all there will be many paws that will miss you and your calming and loving impact on their life.
For them…I truly cry. Because to them, they have lost so much more than the rest of us.
The dogs lost the one person in this world that completely, and truly, understood them and was their voice.
I love you Pat.
I will miss you forever.
Rest in peace my wonderful friend.
(Written by Kerry Clair, director of Pets Alive Middletown)
RIP Pat. My daughters and I first saw him on the TV show, Dogtown. He just seemed so gentle and sensible, magic with any dog. Then my daughter went to a training at Pets Alive and told me ‘We saw Pat from Dogtown!’. I only met him briefly once myself, but he was kind to me. As a new volunteer, I asked him a question which could have seemed like an obvious question, and if he were not so patient, I might have felt stupid for asking, but he told me, ‘I’m glad you asked that question.’ That one brief encounter with him made me feel like a good and responsible volunteer instead of a bumbling newbie.
I know how much everyone looked up to & lived Pat. I am so sorry for the loss if your friend & a such a great friend to the animals. I would see Pat around as I volunteered spoke with him once very briefly, but always hoped I would get to know him better & gleen some valuable tips from him. This is truly a tragedy. Pat will live on in the hearts of all of you, his friends, and in the lives of all of the animals he changed & gave a better life to. Truly a wonderful person has been lost.
The Rainbow Bridge will have the best gatekeeper.
Sweet Journeys Pat….
So sorry for your loss, we met and watched Pat work with a family and their new adopted dog juat a few weeks ago. What a great loss to you and the animals at Pets Alive!
I never met Pat or saw him on DogTown, but I’d read about him on the Pets Alive Twitter page, and I always got the feeling that he was a special man. Now I know I was right; these heartfelt words from so many are a beautiful tribute to a life truly lived to the fullest. I offer my most sincere sympathy to Pat’s family and friends, and I pray that he is now resting peacefully, reunited with those who meant the most to him. I am so emotional reading all of your touching responses, and I can only aspire to accomplish in my lifetime what Pat seems to have accomplished each and every day. Thank you, Pat. You will be missed.
I had the pleasure of meeting Pat while at Best Friends a few years ago. What a wonderful man with a huge heart. So kind, friendly, funny and patient! A great man has been lost. RIP Pat, you will be remembered by many.
What a wonderful eulogy for Pat, and I’m so sorry that you’ve lost such a good friend and being.
I first came across him with the airing of Dogtown, and liked and respected him immediately. I am so glad you had a chance to “have” him at Pets Alive for the time that you did.
He will never truly be gone from there, and will always be watching over all of you and the dogs – here and in Utah, and anywhere else he’s ever touched. Just walk out to a favorite place and talk to him – he’ll be listening.
While reading all the endearing qualities you listed of Pat, it occurred to me that you’ve actually described all of the sentient being characteristics of a dog…and Pat was a wonderful pack leader. This is why he had the golden communication he did with all dogs…he was one himself.
R.I.P Pat – you’ve left your mark in this world, and hopefully all the lucky humans that have crossed paths with you will pay it forward with all you’ve taught – especially patience. I know all the lucky dogs will!
So, So sorry for your loss and for the animals. Watching Pat on Dogtown, he had a special, gentle and kind demeanor and I am sure he will be missed terribly by all including all the dogs. He taught us all even from afar on Dogtown.
I am so sorry for your loss. I only met Pat a couple of times, but it was obvious that he was a very caring man. His eyes, manners, voice—al spoke volumes of his love for the dogs. He will be greatly missed by many.
I shared this beautiful tribute with all my rescue friends on Facebook, and one of them posted a beautiful thought about Patrick that I felt you should hear. He said, “Can you imagine the response when he approached the Rainbow Bridge?” :*)
Although I did not know Pat, he sounded like a wonderful person and friend.
God puts people here to make a difference. Certain people stand out because they have such a wonderful energy about them. That is why so many people and animals loved him. He was the difference at the end of the day that creates changes in us as humans and changes for the better with animals. Rest in pease Pat. May God look upon all of us as he has you in this lifetime.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Masiello-Sama
New York, NY
Thank you for the tribute that only you could write, Kerry. Pat has truly left a legacy, and the entire animal welfare community will miss him. Love and healing thoughts and prayers to you.
Joy Moffat
Kanab, Utah
What a fitting and heartfelt tribute to an amazing man. I am so sorry for your loss, I had the privilege of seeing Pat in action years ago when I volunteered at BF; truly a hero for all dogs no matter what their condition. I am positive that Pat’s impact and presence will continue to be felt in the people and animals he touched with his work and spirit. I can’t help but think that heaven must have needed some help with some troubled dogs or they never would have called him home so soon. RIP Pat
When I opened up my emails this morning and saw the subject line my heart skipped…I am so very sorry for your loss and even more so for those of us who never had the opportunity to meet him. The first time I had been introduced to him was on the TV show, Dog Town and I was immediately in awe of his ability to communicate with the dogs. I was thrilled to hear that he had joined Pets Alive and had always thought that I would get over the facility to meet him in person. Im sorry I never did, I’m sorry I put off till tomorrow what I could have done today. I know in my heart that Pat is enjoying eternal walks in the woods with a whole posse full of pups. May he walk in peace.
Worked with Pat in Kansas, great man! My prayers go out to his friends and family, R.I. P. Pat!
My deepest sympathy to ALL! Love and Prayers, Janine
I was blessed to work with Pat for over 7 years while he was here at Best Friends. He was a great friend to animals, a very funny guy, very, very smart. He and I had the greatest talks on all kinds of things, but mostly of course dogs when we shared an office. When he left for Pets Alive, our talks was what I missed the most. Now the rest of the world has to miss him as well but in a more startling way.
I am just numb and saddened for his family and his girlfriend and all the people who loved him. What an incredible stand-up guy.
I only watched Pat on TV, but he was amazing and such a calm spirit.
RIP, you will be missed by all.
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened———-Dr. Seuss
RIP, Pat
I am so sorry to read this, and my thoughts go out to all of Pat’s family and friends. I had the pleasure of meeting him – well, exchanging a few words with him from time to time while volunteering at Best Friends on a couple of occasions. More often he would speak with the dogs I was with at the time, and it was always beautiful and informative to watch these exchanges. Even though I was just a stranger passing by, he was always warm when we said hello or talked a bit about the dog on my leash. He had this aura – you just knew he was one of the good ones. He always seemed like the kind of person I would want to know, and have as a friend. The words in this post are beautiful, the world lost a great person.
RIP Pat: thank you for making the world a better place, and especially for its dogs.
I am so incredibly sorry to hear about Pat. He was very helpful to us on more than one occasion with our dogs and recently helped us select a puppy ( black bean ) for our family. He sat patiently waiting while we made the hard decision of choosing one of two dogs that we wanted to adopt. He answered our questions as we threw them out to him and he never once made us feel pressured to make a decision, even though I’m sure he had plenty of other things he could have been doing. He just sat patiently until we made a decision and then complimented us on our choice. I will always remember his gentle voice and his gentle and kind demeanor.
Oh no. Too, too soon. RIP, good man. You were a dog’s best friend. You will never be forgotten.
My heart breaks for a man I never even knew. There are so few of these angels in the world who do what he did and we need every single one of them. I so hope that he inspired someone to follow in his footsteps because it sure sounds like no one can fill his shoes. For those who were incredibly lucky enough to have known him, you have my most heartfelt sympathies. I really wish I had. <3
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend and very sorry for the dog community. He made me realize my dream to be a behaviorist. If not for him I would still be lost with no idea where my life needed to go. Thank you for being my hero and a voice for the voiceless.
First, you got the words to come out right!! You did a beautiful job of telling us about this man. I didn’t know him but now I do! Just knowing about a man like him makes me feel good. I am so sorry for your loss. God bless!
I am shocked and saddened to hear this news. Like so many others, I was totally taken with his calm and peaceful nature when working with dogs, and with people. I took a canine good citizenship class from him (with one of my dogs, of course) while I was working at Best Friends. Seemed nothing ruffled him… a quality that is so good to have when working with any sentient being. I only recently learned that he had left Best Friends, and I thought that where ever he was, it was most definitely their gain. And now the world unseen has gained a great soul. Rest in Peace, Pat, or should I say, “carry on…” for he will, where ever he is. He carries peace inside and wears it so that all can see.
I had the privilege and honor of working with Pat and seeing him in the field do his magic with puppy mill dogs in Missouri as well as the dogs left behind by Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast. What a friend he was to them. The world is a far better place for having had him in it. He will be sorely missed by all.
I am so sorry to hear of this loss. This is the first I’ve read of Pat but he sounds like a truly amazing person that everyone was lucky to know and have in their lives.
I am very sorry for your loss, and the dogs’ loss.
Truly sorry for the loss of this gentle, brilliant man. The nicest walks are always too brief in this world. My hunch is, Pat is now caring for all the wonderful animals that have gone on before us. They have become the fortunate ones. Thanks for sharing this news, Kerry. I am sure it is a big loss for you and Pets Alive, but if you carry on with Pat’s legacy in mind each day, I know you and the Pets Alive he loved will do a fine job moving forward. You are all in my prayers.
Just by watching him on the show, my dogs and I felt so in peace and blessed, I can’t imagine what a blessing would have been meeting him or even better, working with him.
He was an excellent teacher. He has changed the lives of many animals not just through his direct contact with them, but by his ability to teach others good technique. He will be so missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Pat was my friend, co-worker and mentor. I taught a couple of workshops at Best Friends with him and I always learned more from Pat than I actually taught to others! One of my fondest memories of Pat was helping him socialize Timber in Tara’s Run at Best Friends. Timber loved my two dogs, Echo and Gavin and the three of them would run around Tara’s Run while Pat and I watched. Another fond memory is reading the t-shirts that Pat would wear. My favorite of his was, “Does the name Pavlov ring a bell!” So perfect for my favorite psychology guy! Thank you for writing such a wonderful tribute to Pat and sharing it with us. He was one of a kind and your blog made me laugh out loud and cry at the same time. I am truly sad that the world has lost such a fantastic person, but also happy that Pat is reunited with his beloved Rollie across the Bridge!
I am so sorry for your loss. Pat Whitacre is irreplaceable. I met him at Best Friends. I would like to share something about my experience with him and what I learned.
***
Last night I learned that Pat Whitacre passed away. Of course the first thought that crosses ones mind is disbelief “He seemed to healthy when I saw him last.” But then the thoughts of course turn to sadness over the loss of such a brilliant individual. In telling my husband he wisely said that “instead of being sad about his loss be grateful that you had the chance to meet him and learn from him”. Pat was always so gracious to me when I volunteered at Best Friends. Every time that I saw him I would ask what he was up to that day and if I could tag along to observe him and more often than not he would oblige me, letting me pick his brain for the next few hours. Whenever he had a question and answer period for the volunteers I would inevitably show up and monopolize his time there too. He was a brilliant man, I learned so much from him that has shaped the way that I work with dogs and how I teach people to think about training. So, in keeping with my husband’s advice, I asked if I could talk about the things that I learned from him, some of which I spoke about just two days before in a conversation with my family. As I said each anecdote I found that I had a little chuckle as I started, thinking of how he said it or how I then said it to someone else. It took me a fair while to tell of all the things I learned because each time I finished a new memory would pop up to be shared as well. It was a wonderful experience and I thank my husband for being there to suggest and share it with me. Its amazing how much of an impression an individual can have on you in such a relatively short period of time. I am very grateful for the chance to have met Pat and will treasure and share the things I learned from him where ever possible.
As it is said so often, “the dead never really leave us, they live on, in our hearts”. Thank you Pat Whitacre for your patience with me, you made such an impact. May you meet all your loved ones, furry and not, over the rainbow bridge.
My hear hurts this morning… This world truly lost an amazing man, a man who taught so many so much, a man whose mere presence calmed human and animal alike. I too had the pleasure of working with Pat at Best Friends, although not directly. He always had a kind word and was always willing to help in anyway he could. Pat could walk into a room and you could feel his calmness and joy, and no matter you mood, his presence would surround you and make your heart warm. So many dogs have found new lives thanks to Pat, he changes so many lives and made them whole.
Pat will forever be surrounded by love, joy and all the fur babies he’s worked with in rainbow bridge. He walked in wearing his hat and long coat to the excitement of all his four legged students howling with joy to have their best friend and savior back at their side, to love them as unconditionally as they love him.
Pat will be missed, will always be honored and loved and our world will have one less remarkable man to guide us…. But know that he will be there to greet our fur babies and be at their side, walking in the tall grasses among the butterflies and leading the happiest pack of dogs….
We will miss you, we love you… And we thank you for bring you.
I knew Pat when he and I were both at Best Friends. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to knhow him – he was the gentlest man and brought so much good into this world.
How sad and tragic. The good ones always go first. I met Pat one of the times I was out volunteering at Best Friends. Such a huge loss to all the dogs who will now never knew his loving heart. Such a huge loss to all those who were lucky enough to have met him. The world is truly cruel sometimes.
What a beautiful tribute. I didn’t know Pat, but from your blog, I sure wish I had. I imagine that everyone would like to know that someone who survives them would write such a touching eulogy. Of course, the way to ensure that happens is to display the qualities that Pat did. If we all did that, someone would say nice things about us AND the world would be a much better place.
I was extremely fortunate to spend time with Pat while he was training dogs at Best Friends. As everyone has said, he was such a kind, humble and gentle soul. This is such a great loss not only to his human friends, but to all his animal friends too. RIP Pat.
I was fortunate enough to spend a small amount of time with Pat at Best Friends. As so many have said, his intuitive knowledge was astounding and he had enough patience for 15 people, even with someone who made a dumb mistake. He would just smile and make a suggestion on how to do it better next time. :). I truly am in shock- I had to keep reading the posts and looking at the pictures to believe it was really him. He seemed so immortal to me- because of who he was and what he did, I guess he always will be. I know there are a lot of joyous canines who were waiting for him and he is truly in peace and happiness now. Rest blissfully Pat- those left behind will always miss you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Your tribute to him captures the magic that was his. There are very few people in the world like this. These characteristics are all things we should strive to emulate.
Rest in Peace, Pat. I’m sorry I didn’t ever know you, but rest assured that you have left a great legacy as a role model and compassionate leader.
I met Pat while dealing with the aftermath of hurricaine sandy. It was the first and last time I met him. I feel it to be necessary to add to this blog that I too saw him as a stand up gentlemen. He went out of his way to help. May god rest this kind mans soul and may we carry on his legacy.
I learned a lot from Pat over the years and I will always carry his lessons with me. He always took the time to help me with any questions I had. Usually when I would go to him with question about one of the dogs, he would spend at least a half hour with me even though his days were busy. He wouldn’t leave until my question was analyzed thoroughly and a plan was formulated. Pat taught me to think outside of the box. He was a truly remarkable human. RIP Pat.
In 2007 my husband and I went to Pets Alive to adopt a dog, Pat said he had a dog he wanted us to meet..he brought over a shy Black Lab, who we fell in love with right away and adopted. When the three of us would watch “Dogtown” and Pat would appear, Raider(our Black lab)would go right up to the TV…he recognized his friend Pat…the man who treated him so well, built him a bed and introduced him to his new parents. Rest in Peace Pat…you were an Angel on Earth for many dogs
I too am so sorry for your loss – this gentle man sounded like a truly incredible individual – certainly one who loved, nurtured and respected the dogs he so gently mastered. I only hope that there will be another “Angel” brought to Pets Alive who can help in every way Pat did – one who will help heal your grieving hearts. For you and especially the dogs, I cry – you have given this man a beautiful tribute – God Bless all of you at Pets Alive for all you do for animals. May Pat’s gentle spirit always guide and be with you.
we have lost a great man! i didnt know him but from what i have read, he sure made a difference in many people and animals lives. i know pat has his wings now. rest in peace!!!!
My most sincere condolences to you and the staff at Pets Alive. Although I did not know Pat, your blog put me to tears. I do know that people like Pat don’t come into your life to often. His source of strength, knowledge, calmness, and warmth will be a hard emotion to get through. Please keep his memory alive by using all the knowledge and calmness that he has brought forth. Keeping his memory alive will help. Rest in peace Pat.
I am so very sorry for the loss of Pat, i only had the pleasure of meeting
Him twice, once on Derby road where he helped me
Load 2 rotties in my truck, amd once at pets alive, both times we had great conversation he was such a gentle person, rest in peace Pat and take care of all the fur babies on the other side, continue your work there.
As soon as I met Pat at Best Friends, I knew he was special. Every move Pat made was deliberate, every word he spoke eloquent. He worked with my dog Shady and I after work in my home in Kanab for months and would never take a dime, a cookie, a gift certificate, nothing. He did it because he believed in Shady and knew I desperately needed his help. After I moved to NY I found out Pat had also moved East. We reconnected one day at Pet’s Alive and he gave me the biggest hug…maybe ever. I told all my dogs this a.m. that Pat was gone and then pulled Shady out of her box to tell her to take care of Pat, the way he took care of her. RIP Pat and thank you from the bottom of five hearts- Pamela, Shady, Velvet, Port and Gus.
No wonder the doggies loved him so much. He seems like a wonderful guy. I’m sorry about the loss of your friend and the loss of an advocate of the doggies of the world. May he rest in peace.
There are many people I like, some people I love and even a few I admire. But Pat Whitacre is the only person I’ve ever known who had all of the human, and yes, canine qualities I wish that I could emulate. He was a gracious and giving mentor, a simple yet elegant man, a friend forever. The many times he stayed at our house when visiting the east coast were some of the most unique, entertaining, informative, down to earth, simply incredible times my wife and I have ever had. My wife, who is people shy, found from the moment she met him that she never had to be shy from him. She loved his manners, his stories, his lack of ego, his way of making her feel so at ease. Pat Whitacre is the only person I’ve ever know who understood and embraced the Serenity Prayer. He was like Einstein, Ghandi, Mother Theresa and any number of saints all rolled up into one. Incredibly grounded, nothing was never, ever, about him. He would never have understood the impact that he has left on all of us nor would he approve of all the accolades we write. I say this selfishly, for me and everyone else who has every known Pat, that our world is a little dimmer, a lot sadder because we don’t have you anymore. As you always reminded me, “it’s what’s true to the dog. It’s about their value system, not ours.” Well Pat, what’s true to me is that Rosanne and I will miss you forever. You are one of the most valued people I’ve ever had the privilege and hnor to know. You see Pat, it always WAS all about you, the gifts you gave each and every person and animal you ever met, you just didn’t know it.