This is the first film I ever made. It was shot on 16mm and video in 2005 when my dog was 5 years old. Maia, with keen intelligence and a mischievous sense of humor, brought more happiness into this world than even seems possible. She engaged my deepest emotions and kept me in the present moment. These moments might be described as heaven on earth. And yet, my days with her were also always tinged by the near inevitability that I would outlive her. I made this film to try and deal with the anticipation of pain and loss; to remind myself that her most sublime gift was the ability to respond to every moment as if it were an opportunity for joy.
On May 4th, 2011, Maia became suddenly ill and within 24 hours she died. The cause remains a mystery. The shadow of her memory will be with me always.
