Goodbye to another dear friend

Today I had to put our dog, Kuma, to sleep. She was diagnosed with diabetes for over two years and her health has been declining off an on ever since. She had cataracts that limited all but her peripheral vision, and even that was failing. She had arthritis that made it difficult for her to climb the stairs at night, and dangerous to come down the stairs without falling in the morning. Things finally came to a head with her this weekend. She stopped eating on Saturday and Sunday night she started peeing all over herself. She looked just so miserable. Not at all like the little ball of fluff that Chris and I first fell in love with seven years ago this August when we first came to town and set up house.

So, today the kids were in daycare and I took her to the vet. I stayed with her when the vet gave her the injection. To be truthful, I honestly thought that I was going to throw up. Thankfully I had time to compose myself before I had to pick the kids up. But tonight Luke looks so lost without his sister -- my heart is breaking for him, too.

This is the best photo I could find of my girl (the blond on the left). Since the kiddos have come home she had shifted off to the sidelines. The better to avoid being clambered over by tikes, I guess.

I pray that she is romping with the best of them in puppy heaven.