Old Girl

11/1998-12/10/2011

Today was quite possibly one of the hardest days of our married life. As I type I realize the blessedness in that statement, but it doesn't make today any easier. After a rough couple of months, we decided to put Aspen to sleep. It was such a difficult decision. We scheduled the appointment two other times, but she always rallied for a day or two. Eventually we were counseled into sticking to our decision as the bad days were far out weighing the good days. And by good days I mean she actually got up and went to the bathroom outside on her own. She had lost a lot of weight recently and really gone down hill fast. Mentally she was still herself, which made today even worse.

We had the vet come to the house, which we thought was the best thing for her. Aspen always hated going to the vet and we didn't want her last moments to be filled with fear. Nothing could have made it any easier. Jeremy and I both held her as she drifted off to sleep. It was very peaceful. She was just the best dog.

As we have struggled through the last few hours, we have shared so many memories of our first baby. We both loved her fat little pink puppy belly. Jeremy especially loved her puppy breath, which I find really gross. We both loved how she would play fetch until she simply could not move. I remember so many times she dropped a soggy tennis ball into her bowl of water signalling she was done for the day. She loved being with us. I took her on so many walks, which really turned into her taking me on walks. Aspen was a such a pretty dog and so smart. We taught her all kinds of tricks, and I swear she understood what we said to her. She loved the kids, even at the end when she couldn't get away from them. Knox climbed all over her. Never did I worry that she would hurt any of them.

Aspen quite possibly was the world's best dog. She was kind, faithful, and fun. Aside from making dog hair afghans on my floor each summer, there is not one thing bad I can say about her. Our hearts have hurt for the last few weeks as we have watched her go. She will forever be part of our family though. I pray she is running around at the Golden Gate waiting faithfully for us to join her someday.

We will always love you, Old Girl.