There was a time when Kisa’s dreams kept me awake at night. I don’t know what she was dreaming about, but the paws were flying and she was yelping — just the way she always did when she chased a squirrel across the front yard or did laps around the house.

Now, the silence in the hallway keeps me awake at night. I think it will be a long time before I stop noticing the empty spot on the floor outside our bedroom door.