On September 26, 2011, Vanya, my dear boy, died of a Mycobacterium marinum infection.

Vanya had been with me nearly two years. In that time he fell in love (with Pele, who survives him), learned to play windchimes, and took up ballet. Toward the end of his life, he was Pele's love interest and a ballet dancer in the short film entitled "Lac du Cygnes et les Poissions D'Or (Goldfish Swan Lake)." This film is part two of Freshwater pearls Puppetry's production, "Love Beyond Reach." The show will officially premier in 2012. May Vanya's talents delight audiences for years to come.

Goodbye, my sweet ballerino!