One of the saddest days

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We woke up today, and there were no noses sniffing at us over the side of the bed, there was no one demanding breakfast or a pee outside.  It was quiet, and we cried.

As we had for Theda and Olivia's whole lives, we did the best we could for them.  It wasn't always perfect, and maybe not always what they wanted (except for the part where they got treats), but we did our best.  They were part of our family.  They loved us unconditionally, and forgave us immediately when we screwed up.  We loved them unconditionally too, but they made it easy.

We found out Theda was sick at the end of August, and we knew we could keep the pain at bay for a little while with lots of meds.  We found out a couple of weeks ago that Olivia had a huge tumor on her spleen that risked rupturing.  We decided that our last gift to them would be to let them go before they gave up.  They would have their dignity and their love of life until the end.  We wouldn't ask them to endure pain so that we didn't have to go more days without them.  We decided, too, that we would put them to sleep together so that one wouldn't have to learn to live without the other.  As it turns out, they were ready to go at the same time.

Yesterday morning it was clear that they were both sad and hurting.  We spent the day napping and snuggling and eating and walking.  They even almost ate a 'snack' (lap dog) who had escaped his house and decided to "attack" us on one of our walks.  He turned around and backed away slowly when the girls--in usual form--let him know that they actually really enjoy snacks, and would gladly share him between them.  While I stood there holding them back by their pinch collars while the gardner went to get the nanny who came running out with a leash yelling, "I'm sorry, Mrs!", I thought - YEAH, THEY STILL GOT IT!  And, as we finally walked away to finish our walk, they did a canine high-five and said, "if she just wudda let go, we wudda had 'im!!".  It was really good.

Later in the day, around dinner time, Doctor Harry, Theda's accupuncturist, and Doctor Ika, their sweet vet, came with a crew of gentle and loving guys to help us say good bye.  I was so glad that they were able to come to the house. Jaffa and Eben went next door to eat and play, and Theda and Olivia went peacefully while we held them and told them how very much we love them.

So, today was the hardest day.  We miss them so much, but remind ourselves that their pain would have only gotten worse.  So we gave them the gift of letting them go.  And now they are running and playing with Grandpa Jon and Pawka.. and eating loads of ham and cheese sandwiches.

We love you, Theda and O, and you will be in our hearts always.