How deep is one's despair?

I had a nice tidy little rant all saved up and ready to spew when I read an article in today's tribune.

Here is a copy of the article:

Authorities catch dog who stayed with owner's body

Cache County authorities on Wednesday afternoon trapped a dog who had stayed with his 18-year-old owner after she apparently committed suicide in the wilderness.
The 5-month-old dog, a German Shepherd-wolf mix called both Forrest and Gerome, had begun wandering the Green Canyon 27 days earlier, when authorities first began searching for Andrea Celina Roye. Her body was found Sunday evening near the Beirdneau Trail.
The Cache County Sheriff's Office has said Roye's death appears to be a suicide, but would not say why.
Cache County sheriff's Lt. Matt Bilodeau said the puppy had stayed with Roye's body, but ran off when searchers came near it.
Deputies on Tuesday took Roye's mother and brother to the site where Roye was found, and the dog was still in the area. Authorities set traps and eventually captured the dog, returning it to the family.
The girl's family returned to their Nevada home Wednesday afternoon.
Bilodeau said finding the dog brought Roye's family some closure and "gave them something that she had."
Said Bilodeau: "They're doing the best they can given the circumstance."
Steve Gehrke

After reading this I had to post a reply to the forum. This reply is listed below.

Andrea one can only hope that you have found the peace that eluded you in this world. My heart breaks at the thought of you sitting alone on that hillside with Forrest feeling that what you were about to do was preferable to living another second in whatever pain and sadness that held your heart captive. You were far too young to have felt this type of pain and those that are left behind can only hope that you are now in a place of joy. I am so happy that Forrest was found as he sat sentinel at your side. Dog's provide so much companionship and the thought of this little protector sitting by your side as your life slipped away will bring tears to my eyes for a very long time. Knowing that he is with your family gives me a little peace at least. I am not a religious man but if there is a God, may you find yourself in his/her embrace and know the calmness and love that he/she should impart. Please know that you will be missed and your passing has been noticed.

I struggle with this type of thing thinking about this little girl and just how bad she needed to have felt to think that this was what she not only wanted to do, but needed to do.

I am always astonished an an animal's capacity for love and when I think of my little dog in this scenario it is truly almost too much to bear.

I hope the old saying is true...God looks out for fools and children, and to add to that, I hope he looks out for little dogs as well, this little guy needs it.
This little girl wasn't a fool, but she was lost and so sad that her heart finally gave in to the tidal wave of her despair.

Sweet girl I hope you find your peace.