Mia, a bright-eyed eight-year-old with curly hair, stands beside her mother, Laura. "I miss him so much, Mommy," she says, her voice trembling.

Laura sits with Mia on the couch, their hands clasped tightly. "It's okay to feel sad, sweetheart. Buddy was a special part of our family," Laura reassures her daughter gently.

Mia helps Laura roll out cookie dough, her small fingers pressing down carefully. "Will Buddy be happy in dog heaven?" Mia asks, looking up with wide eyes.

Laura turns the pages slowly, pointing at a picture of Mia and Buddy playing fetch. "Remember when Buddy stole your hat and ran around the yard?" she laughs softly.

Mia stands beside a poster board filled with drawings of Buddy, a smile breaking through her sadness. "He was the best dog," she tells her friends, who nod in agreement.

Laura hugs Mia close, whispering, "Buddy will always be in our hearts, and we can remember him with love and happiness." Mia nods, comforted by the warmth of her mother's embrace.