evidence: Spring came around, and I wondered if my feathered friend had survived another harsh Minnesota winter. One day I went to check on her. Branches crackled one by one in the breeze as I stepped off the cart. [...] The grouse purred and lightly pecked at my fingers. I was glad to still have my best friend, the one who’d helped me weather the darkest, coldest season of my life. I know Lulu will leave me too one day, but I’ll be okay. God always sends the right helper at the right time. One of mine just happened to have feathers and beady brown eyes.