I'm taking a day off from political blogging as a sort of moment of silence in honor and memory of our beautiful little dog, Roy, who was killed by a coyote on Saturday morning just outside our home.

Roy was the most adorable, loving, gentle creature in the world. To me, Roy was like a son and, as strange as it sounds, he was one of my best friends. He wanted nothing more than to make us happy and followed me around like a shadow (and followed Kristen when I wasn't home), just waiting for an opportunity to get or give some attention.

My wife and I are saddened beyond description and I'm not up to writing (at least not well) right now. Fortunately, our daughter and our other dog, Elvis, are doing better than we are, or we'd be feeling that much worse.

I'm doing my best to remember Roy as the happy soul we've known for four years rather than the horrific sight of the last four minutes when I buried one of my best friends.

My wife, Kristen, fittingly called Roy "The Einstein of Love". Indeed he was, and our lives are so much poorer for his shocking absence.

Rest in peace, Roy. We miss you more than we thought possible.