Bye, sweet boy

Today was (and still is) one of the hardest, most emotionally draining days of my life. We went ahead and had our beloved angel put to sleep. We knew we had to, and the longer we waited, the harder it would be. He has been the best friend, companion, and teddy bear that we ever could have asked for. The poor guy was dealt a bad hand in health, and he made a very bad decision. I already explained about the bad decision, mildly about the health, and mildy about the previous instances of aggression. What I didn't mention was how sweet he was. How he would lay his head on our laps and take a nap. How he would always put his paws on our left leg when we squatted down. How excited he got EVERY TIME we came home or every time someone knocked or rang the doorbell. How gentle he was when he took a carrot stick out of our hands (since that's the only treat he was allowed). How he wouldn't push a door open unless he could get through it without touching it (so we never worried about him getting into anything). How he would sit so good whenever we groomed brushed him. How he loved to hang his head out the car window, loved to run around at the lake, loved to chase birds and squirrels. He would always lay by my feet whenever I was on the computer. He was so, so soft. Softer than any other dog I've ever known. He always held his left ear up, even when his right ear was down.

When he was licking away my tears as I was saying goodbye to him, I thought about how I will remember him as the sweetest dog ever, but I will have to remember Speedy's face, and any future little face that will not get his teeth marks imprinted in it. I have to think of the kids who have been scared by him, and other kids (be it Jenna or anyone else) who won't be in the future. I have to remember that we spared him of all the pain he would have had to endure in the future. He no longer has to get 2 shots a day at the same time, doesn't have to be held back when he wants to play, and doesn't have to be kept inside while the other dogs are running around at the lake so he doesn't pee blood. Now he doesn't have to have the THIRD bladder surgery that he was supposed to have at any time. I have to think of all these things because I know we made the right decision and I know we're all better off.

Bye, sweet friend--we will miss you more than you'll ever know.