Tough couple weeks....

The last couple weeks have been pretty rough. Between being sick, work, and a resent death of a doggie friend, I've had no time to take new pictures or even post.

Tragically William has passed away....

You may remember from previous posts, William is Riley's friend from agility. We've had a number of play dates and a trip to the beach. William's death was sad and sudden. Just last week his owner brought him to the vet for a check up and the vet felt a mass in his abdomen. Next day he was in surgery, but the mass was unable to be removed.

The original thought was cancer, and chemo could help shrink it, making it removable. The test results came back as a Granuloma, that is probably being caused by a Fungus, Pythiosis, which regrettably happens to be nicknamed "swamp cancer".

William went into a second surgery with a specialist, but unfortunately the surgeon discovered it was too intertwined around his intestine and stemmed from the digestive tract blood supply. So his loving owner decided to let him go, and not to wake him up.

......Dear Mr. William was only 18 months old.....

They rescued him from a shelter, when no one wanted him, they gave him a home, love and truly an amazing life! He got to go to so many interesting places, he was learning to dock dive and excelling in agility. He will truly be missed by many :(

This is an original song my friend wrote/sang many years ago, before she had William, little did she know how much that song would mean.

Here is a collage I made in memory of Riley's dearest friend.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown..