Many years ago, a young impetuous veterinarian made an off-hand comment that he now regrets. Making an observation on the large number of people in the Lima area who wear cowboy hats, he opined: “The only people who should wear cowboy hats are cowboys — and there aren’t any around here!”

He now realizes he was wrong. How does he know? In late October, his wife received a letter from one.

I have known Bill a long time. He used to have a couple of horses I took care of but he hasn’t had them for quite awhile. I knew he had a dog named Skeeter, however, my wife or one of our associates usually cared for him.

So I was kind of surprised to see Bill that Monday afternoon standing alone in the hallway by our check-out counter. Wearing a cowboy hat, boots, and a leather vest, he looked every bit a cowboy. Bill proceeded to tell me how he was spending a lot of time in Montana, living the good life and creating western art.

He then told me why he was there. Skeeter had just been euthanized. Apparently he had lymphoma, a type of cancer, and hadn’t been doing well the last few days. When first talking to Bill, though, I had no idea this had happened. Most people who have lost a pet like this don’t take it as bravely.

About a week later, an envelope arrived in the mail with “Dr. Bonnie” underlined on the front. Bonnie, moved by the letter within, quietly laid it on my desk. Written with sincere words and a pure heart, Bill’s letter is a most fitting tribute to his good friend.