We lost our pal yesterday. We adopted Jake from the pound thirteen years ago. He was a collie, yellow lab and 57 other kinds of dog mix. He was probably the best dog you’d ever want. Obedient, friendly to a fault (he happily let burglars into the house just so he could cool off under the piano) and always ready for a snack. The only time he ever barked was when there were deer in the yard.

Jake had been going downhill for quite awhile. He had been deaf for a couple of years. He had congestive heart failure, cancer, arthritic hips and thyroid problems. All these seemed to be ameliorated by medications and until the last week kept him interested in all his daily routines. He was becoming incontinent, and we found ourselves cleaning up messes once or twice a day.

Hubby and I wrestled for weeks with the dilemma of when was the ‘right’ time to put him down. We had daughter to consider here, too. After all, Jake was officially her dog. But, he still played with his toys. He ate voraciously and craved attention. There was still a lot of joy to his life.

Yesterday when he got home from work, hubby found the dog lying dead on the front lawn. He said it looked liked Jake was on his way somewhere and just stopped. It was a good way to go. I dreaded taking him to the vet for what would have been a very stressful last ride for him.

So, the family is feeling a bit mournful and melancholy. Our New Year’s celebration will be subdued. Looks like I’ll be making the daily trek out to the road to get the newspapers by myself from now on.

May you all have a blessed and happy New Year.