Lothario began his life in Pennsylvania and then traveled with me to Nova Scotia, where he came to live on my farm. When I moved back to the United States in 2008, he came with me and saw me through countless changes in my life: different homes, different jobs, stepmotherhood, more Bergamascos, two husbands, and eventually a return full circle to farm life once again. Through all of it, Lothario was my constant.

He had an extraordinarily cheerful disposition and truly never seemed to have a bad day. Even on the day he passed, he was still trying his best. That was simply who he was.

Lothario fathered more than 30 puppies during his lifetime, and he is survived by a large family of humans and Bergamascos who miss him terribly. I still find myself looking for him around the farm where he spent the final year of his life, one of the best years we ever had together. I see him every day in the smile of his daughter, Anthea.

It is difficult to explain how much one dog can alter the course of a life, but Lothario did exactly that for me. This one puppy changed the direction of my life forever and led me toward what became my truest passion. I will always be grateful for the gift he gave me.