I could write for hours about the role Eli played in my life, but this is no place for a book, so I will keep is simple.When my daughter brought Eli into our home, I was like a lot of guys from the north east who grew up in tough communities where toughness is displayed as a warning to people who are looking for an easy mark. And in that environment, big tough dogs were the only choice if you wanted to keep your reputation. So I didn’t really think much when my teenage daughter told me she was getting a teacup Yorkie to carry around with her, and when she brought baby Eli home, he could literally fit in the palm of your hand, and he could not have weighed more than a half a pound, and I looked at him and laughed.Well a little time went by and the tiny Yorkie grew out of the teacup and suddenly, my daughter lost interest, and I was having fun playing with the little boy. He got me to play tug of war with him, and he would fight so viscously that he started to win my heart over because he didn’t care about size, he just wanted to win! And as the years went by, Eli became my best friend, and he taught me how to let my guard down, and how to be playful and gentle, and how to be more fun to live with. We had an amazing time while he was here, and that little Yorkie taught me some of the most valuable lessons I need so I can be a better husband, father, grandpa, and friend and I will always have that to remember him by.Now that Eli’s spirit is free from his earthly shroud, he is now living in a reality that is parallel to ours, but so much better than ours, and he will be there when I get there. And amazingly, I can still feel his presence throughout our home, and I even saw Eli looking at me through the clouds in the night sky the other day. I am including a picture of the clouds below. Look and see for yourself. So that is my short story about Eli. I believe he came to my home on a mission from God to prepare me for this next season in my life, and when he accomplished his mission here, he had to leave his weary body so I could turn my new self to my family while he stays with me in spirit until I see him again.See ya later little buddy, I love you.