This weekend was both wonderful and horrible. It started off good. On Friday, Travis' grandfather happily agreed to be his best man. We had a relaxing night then, and Saturday headed up to my parents after lunch. That evening was the final performance of my brother's high school play, The Importance of Being Ernest, which is a very amusing farce by Oscar Wilde. It is the first high school play that my brother has done while in high school (he's a freshman), and he did a wonderful job. He was the only freshman in it... in fact, I believe everyone else was a senior. It was a lot of fun to watch, and I got some pictures of the play itself, and some good ones afterwards which I hope to post soon.
Also great was that Heather, my best friend for almost 20years (next year is our 20th "anniversary"), surprised my family and I by showing up to support my bro! It was a great surprise and we were all thrilled.
After the play was over, we dropped Ethan off at the cast party, then headed home. That's when the weekend went downhill fast.
About five weeks ago our family dog, Kelly, was diagnosed with cancer... the doctor gave her less then six weeks. They put her on steroids, which worked wonders! She had her appetite back, and was almost her old self again. She was having no pain, and could enjoy her last few weeks. Well Saturday night that changed very abruptly. Her body had reached its end point and she became very weak and unsteady. She had trouble walking, and she could hardly support herself. Sunday morning rolled around, and we knew that the end was near. My dad started calling around to see if he could find a doctor to put her to sleep. That had been the decision all along... we did not want her to suffer. As long as the meds were keeping her pain-free, then we wanted her to enjoy life as long as she could. But once we knew it wasn't working anymore, we wanted to let her go as painlessly as possible. Clearly, she was ready to go. When Travis and I left around lunch, my dad still hadn't found anyone. But eventually he did, and the doctor agreed to come to Kelly, instead of making Kelly leave her home. She apparently was a wonderful lady that truly cares about animals, and knows the pain involved in letting one go. But we are so happy that Kelly could go surrounded by family. I'm so sad that I couldn't be there, but at least I got to say goodbye... and at least she had family all around her.
To the very end she was a wonderful dog. Loving, and a real fighter (she didn't want to let go). She was so loyal, and caring...
Also great was that Heather, my best friend for almost 20years (next year is our 20th "anniversary"), surprised my family and I by showing up to support my bro! It was a great surprise and we were all thrilled.
After the play was over, we dropped Ethan off at the cast party, then headed home. That's when the weekend went downhill fast.
About five weeks ago our family dog, Kelly, was diagnosed with cancer... the doctor gave her less then six weeks. They put her on steroids, which worked wonders! She had her appetite back, and was almost her old self again. She was having no pain, and could enjoy her last few weeks. Well Saturday night that changed very abruptly. Her body had reached its end point and she became very weak and unsteady. She had trouble walking, and she could hardly support herself. Sunday morning rolled around, and we knew that the end was near. My dad started calling around to see if he could find a doctor to put her to sleep. That had been the decision all along... we did not want her to suffer. As long as the meds were keeping her pain-free, then we wanted her to enjoy life as long as she could. But once we knew it wasn't working anymore, we wanted to let her go as painlessly as possible. Clearly, she was ready to go. When Travis and I left around lunch, my dad still hadn't found anyone. But eventually he did, and the doctor agreed to come to Kelly, instead of making Kelly leave her home. She apparently was a wonderful lady that truly cares about animals, and knows the pain involved in letting one go. But we are so happy that Kelly could go surrounded by family. I'm so sad that I couldn't be there, but at least I got to say goodbye... and at least she had family all around her.
To the very end she was a wonderful dog. Loving, and a real fighter (she didn't want to let go). She was so loyal, and caring...
I can't write anymore, but this is just one of the most heartbreaking things to go thru.
I miss you Kelly, I love you. I will never ever forget you.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die...
-Anonymous 
God Bless.
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