My dog and best friend of 13 years passed away yesterday and it was one of the toughest things that I have ever had to endure. I remember going up to a shelter near the Castle in the Clouds in NH the day that we got her. She was one of several mut puppies born to a German Shepherd father and Greyhound mother. The litter was really roudy and there were about eight of nine of them. But Abbie calmly strolled up to me, popped up on her little hind legs and licked my face, and I knew that she was the one. "Mommy, I want this one!" It was decided, and I named her Abigail, after my kindnergarten sweetheart. I miss her already and it is very strange knowing that she won't be there to greet me the next time that I leave Keene and head home for a visit. The sadness in this situation is somewhat counteracted by the fact that Krystin and I just celebrated our 4th year anniversary on the 5th a while back, which was great, but the loss of my Abbie has been really hard on me. My father and I had planned on having her put down last week, and I made the trip home last Wednesday to be there for her. That day turned out to be really good in the end. When we arrived at the Vet's, we determined that it was too early to put her down, as Abbie was generally happy, eating and walking on her own. So we waited. Ultimately, the tough decision was made a week later and Abbie went peacefully, but for the entirety of Wednesday and much of Thursday morning it was just like old times. I was able to spend a lot of time with my canine compainion. I had a good time feeing her, giving her medicine wrapped in roast beef, hanging out on the couch (yes they allowed her on the couch) and even taking a long nap by her side. I must have taken between three and four hundred pictures while I was home visiting my Abbie. All and all, this last bit of bonding with her has provided me with a great deal of closure and lifted my spirits a bit. I have no doubt that you are in a better place now Abbie, and am glad that Lucy has a new playmate up there. I love you so much girl and will never forget you.
