Heavy Heart

My dear friend, Gale, and her husband had to say goodbye to their big, sweet boy, Asher, yesterday.  He was sick on Thursday, and went downhill quickly Thursday night.  Radiographs Friday morning revealed a large mass in his chest, and Gale did the loving thing and let Asher go ... though it broke their heart to do it.

I love this photo that I took of Asher while all of us were on vacation in Gatlinburg earlier this year.

I was at the same vet yesterday morning with Emma.  (She has been off her feed, and I took her to see the doctor to make sure she isn't sick.  Bloodwork and x-rays are inconclusive, and she ate a little bit better yesterday, so perhaps she is on her way back to her old self ... prayers here will be appreciated.)

I am incredibly thankful that I was at the vet at the same time as Gale, because losing Asher so unexpectedly was a huge blow ... to her, to her husband, and to our veterinarian.  I hugged them all, and we cried, and I did my best to give comfort.  At times like this, there's really nothing to say ... tears and hugs can heal, and I offered all I had.

Was it a coincidence that we were at the vet's office together?  Perhaps not.  I think I was supposed to be there.

(If you're local and want something fun to do today, come see me at the Greyhounds Rock booth at the Downtown Dog Fair in downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia.  I'll be there all day ... raising money for canine cancer research ... in memory of Asher, who is now another angel waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.)