The Pittsburgh Steelers

...are going to the Super Bowl.

Thank you, that will be all.

Goodbye Sweet Tessie-Lou

Tribute to a Best Friend

Sunlight streams through window pane onto a spot on the floor.....
then I remember,

it's where you used to lie, but now you are no more.

Our feet walk down a hall of carpet, and muted echoes sound.....
then I remember,

it's where your paws would joyously abound.

A voice is heard along the road, and up beyond the hill,
then I remember,

it can't be yours..... your golden voice is still.

But I'll take that vacant spot of floor and empty muted hall,
and lay them with the absent voice and unused dish along the wall.

I'll wrap these treasured memories in a blanket of my love,
and keep them for my best friend until we meet above.

Author Unknown

Last night, we had to say goodbye to our beloved American Bulldog, Tess.  It was a million times harder than I could have ever imagined it would be.  It happened quickly and we were definitely not prepared, but it was the only decision we could make for her.  Without doing a biopsy, which would have involved an invasive endoscopy procedure under general anesthesia, we cannot be 100% certain, but all clinical indicators and her very rapid decline point to canine nasal adenocarcinoma.  Unfortunately, even if we put her through all the testing money could buy, there is nothing that could have changed the outcome.  We did not want her to suffer any longer knowing this, so we made the very difficult decision to let her go.  We were able to spend time with her and I laid on the floor with her, rubbed her soft ears, looked into her beautiful brown eyes and told her what a good, good, good girl she was and how much we would miss her.

When I first saw Tess at the Humane Society, I never imagined what an imprint she would make on our family and in our hearts.  I can not imagine how anyone could have given up this sweet, quiet, loving girl.  I am happy that we were able to give her a warm home, pets, scratches, treats and love for the last years of her life.  We will hold the memory of these years in our hearts forever.  Our home will be emptier without her.  She gave us so much more than we can ever have given her, unconditional love.  Most of all, I think I will miss going bye bye for a ride in Mommy's car.

You were a good girl Tess and we will miss you immensely.