Sad day here in Southern Indiana.....

I have just gotten home from doing one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do. I had to euthanize my beagle, Clover, today. We were coming home Friday from work and she had a little trouble jumping into the car the 1st time. She jumped up again, made it up but with a little yelp of pain. I thought she had hit her knee since she was holding that leg up. She had done that once before on the stairs. We got home, I gave her some pain medication, hoping that would help. She got worse through the evening. The next morning, she could barely stand on her back legs. She couldn't get up the stairs without her back legs going out from underneath her. I carried her up and out so she could pee then we headed to work. Dr E had me take some radiographs of her spine. She had some disc disease/arthritis in the middle of her back, though she never showed any signs that it bothered her. She was always rolling on her back. Silly beagle.

Her condition continued to decline. I wrestled with the idea of euthanisia all night last night. I woke up this morning and it was snowing. It was snowing for her. She loved running and playing in the snow. Seeing the big flakes coming down made me feel at ease with my decision, like God was saying "It's ok, I'll take care of her for you." I spoke with Todd and he agreed to meet me at work. I held her and talked to her the entire time. It was so peaceful. I decided to have her cremated with her ashes returned to me so that next time I go home to VA, I'll take her with me. Maybe I will see if they can put her ashes into two containers and send part of her to Colorado. Dad can spread her ashes up in the Rockies. She loved the deep snow up there.

Clover and I have been together for 13 years now. She leaves a huge hole in my heart. My little Snort-Snort Girl. You are missed.