The dearest beast is dead, long live the dearest beast! | Two Strands Ah, autumn, at last! I hope you all had wonderful times this summer. We did, too, although the summer began with great sadness: we lost our dearest beast, Bubba. He was 14 1/2 years old - downright ancient for a Golden Retriever - yet every second of his long life held nothing but sweetness. Here's…