More: Dakota was my baby for 14, almost 15 years. I had to allow her to cross the rainbow bridge almost two years ago. It was the most painful loss of my life. I still miss her everyday and haven't had the heart to adopt another companion yet. She was a great traveling companion. She crested mountain peaks, rode tandem in a kayak, walked hundreds of miles on mountain trails, and even rode on a jet ski with me. In the end, dementia set in yet she still recognized me.