nightdog_barks was one of the first online friends I made, back in 2006 when a bunch of us got into House fandom. She wrote great fic. She gave great feedback. She formed the core of a writers and watchers group that has lasted more than a decade. (I was not really a part of it, but several friends have remained the whole time.) She read book after book and posted insightful reviews. Several of the books I read and the movies I watched on her recommendation, or the conversations we had after she read or watched something on my rec, have stayed and will stay with me for a long time. She shared regular observations of the birds and other wildlife in her backyard, as well as the antics of her dogs. On Twitter at NDBarks, she RT'd tidbits of literature and art and antiques/antiquities. She gave wise and caring advice.

I wrote her a story once for her birthday, a loving, spoofy, meta take on a particular portion of her body of House fic. I believe it remains the only time I've posted a work in progress. It's definitely the longest fic I've put online. If you're curious: originally on Livejournal, now on AO3.

Last night/this morning, as those of you who knew her have probably already heard, she succumbed to the resurgence of the breast cancer she'd had many years back. This time it hit her lungs and liver. It sounds like either the cancer itself or the chemotherapy proved too much.

She only got the diagnosis two months ago. She was 61.

I just wrote a lengthy condolence card to her husband. That was awful. I wish I'd said these things to her before she died, but who wants to sound so morbid when the patient is feeling optimistic?

So here we are, and it sucks. But it helps to share this condensed version of our relationship with you. So maybe a few more people will know what she was like in our community.

From blackmare here and here.

From pwcorgigirl here.

From perspi here.

From deelaundry here.

From cuddyclothes here.

From hannah here, including a nightdog_barks recipe and a fitting reference to Neko Case.

From topaz_eyes here.