Our dog, Happy, a blonde cocker spaniel, died suddenly and quickly this last week of an auto-immune disease. She was only 9. I walked her downtown from our home on West Mercer Way three days a week. I think she would want me to tell so many Mercer Islanders, especially business owners, “Thank you.”

Thank you to Mo, who had a box of treats in his garage for when we would walk by. He would always shout: “Happy! My friend.”

Thank you to all the people in the park who would stop and greet me, ask me my name — even give me a treat.

And the wonderful woman at Horuko’s who enjoyed me and often waved as I trotted by most days on the way from All the Best to Rite Aid and the post office.

And the owners and fellow gymnasts at Club Emerald who would smile at me as I lay on the sidewalk or sat in the car waiting for my “mom.”

And the Corry’s cleaners staff that let me come in and visit when my mom picked up the cleaning.

And best of all, the All the Best pet store, where the staff would see me unleashed sitting at the door because my master let me run the last 20 feet. You were one of the favorite parts of my day, and I thank you for all of the attention, laughs and treats.

We are fortunate indeed to live in a community that cares — about people and their pets!

Thank you on behalf of Happy.

Nancy Lee