Yadda, yadda, yadda. . .

Today I had to say good-bye to our family dog, Winston.

I got the call Monday night, saying the decision had been made. Ever since he took a bad fall last summer, things had been downhill for him. He ended up with a massive infection in his already bad hip, althritis, a skin condition, blind, deaf, and drinking lots of water (indicating a kidney problem). It was time to let him go before he suffered any more.

The appointment was scheduled for today at 2:30. Moses and I both took off from work to be there. . .and I am glad we did. When we got there, he sniffed us and wagged his tail. . .something he hadn't done in awhile, my mother said.

After what seemed like the longest 15min car ride ever, I found myself not being able to go in. Moses and I waited outside on the bench, and I told him stories about Winston; how he ate our Easter eggs one year and how bad the smell was, how I had to jump in our swimming pool w/ my clothes on because Winston had jumped in, about his puppy friend who came over to play everyday, and how Winston would pull off our mitten and boots when we went sled riding and run around the yard with is prize, thinking it all a game.

A little while later, Gary, my mom, and my brother came back out and sat on the bench w/ us. In the distance, the church bells rang. . .as if announcing Winston's arrival to Heaven. I found it comforting, but the tears still came. . .

He was a great dog, and will be missed. Mom says where he is now there is no pain or itching anymore. I believe her.