This Day All Over Again

Yesterday Alison and I went to Sean Casey to walk Bear (pictured, left). Viv had generously given us a harness to use with him and the results were marvelous. We saw a lot more of his personality since he wasn't choking himself to get to the next smell.

While we waited for someone to be able to take him back downstairs we saw Sean in the store holding a German Shepherd on a leash and talking to a man.

I thought, "Oh. Oh yeah."

I moved Bear down the way because he isn't a big animal lover so Alison is the one who overheard the conversation. We aren't sure but it seems like the shepherd was being surrendered right then and there. He (or she) was beautiful.

I said "Oh" because today, you see, is the sixth anniversary of my deciding it was time to help Emily die. Turns out this day still sucks.

It helps some to have other dogs around. My dog, Bear, that German Shepherd...

I was supposed to volunteer at a big dog-friendly event all day today. It was a coincidence that it fell on October 3rd but it seemed like a nice way to honor her memory. Unfortunately the weather was crappy so, for our safety, it was canceled.

Instead I spent the day hanging with Ed. We went on a long walk, he got a huge pig ear, we napped hard, we went to the pet food store, we took another walk, and now we're torturing the cats. Well, one of us is.

When I sit on the couch Ed sits in the middle, right up near my feet. It's been cold so he's really been snuggly, even begging several times to sit on my lap. Emily had her spot at the very far end of the couch. She only slept in the middle when two humans were here. There was plenty of room here on the couch for her today but she wasn't here to fill it.

She will never again be here to fill it.

So, as we do every year, please have a treats for everyone day in her honor. Not, sadly, solely in her honor.

Please read this wonderful tribute Nancy Davis Kho wrote to her late co-worker. Also, please send your love to Our Audra who said goodbye to one of her beloved shelties, Wylie Coyote, pictured below.

Love them as fast and deep as you can. It'll be over before you know it.