Beauregard-or Beau, as his friends and family liked to call him-touched the lives of everyone he encountered. He had a warm personality and inviting demeanor, and the fact that he had special needs merely meant he was more appreciative of the care he received and more attentive to the needs of others. Indeed, he truly was one of a kind, and there will never be another like him.

To be clear, it is no mistake that the words "person" and "man" were not used above, as Beau was neither. Pet enthusiasts will not be shocked to learn that Beau was a beloved canine, considered one of the family...