It has been almost two weeks since our beloved Josh went home to be with the Lord and I ache at his absence. I remember as if it were only days ago when we joyfully carried him home from the per shop, he licking our faces and we, in return, petting and hugging him as tight as we could. He was a rumbuxious little red guy, getting into everything, shoes, trash, laundry, birds, frogs, and the like, and we simply adored him.

Those twelve short years were just tragically short. It was like losing a child. Those of you who have lost a pet only know the pain of this grief, a pain deep in the soul, in the heart, not to mention the pain in the mind filled with all the memories. Of course, those who don't own a pet or don't care for them cannot or will not understand and that is okay. But, the pain is so very real.  Even as I write this, the memories are clothed in the tears tapping on the keyboard.

Even as the cancer was accelerating in the last five months of his life, he never quit doing his best to play, catch those birds, make us happy and even in his own way comfort us as I know he knew he was sick. In his last days with us, he stopped eating and drinking and most terminal patients do, and we perpared ourselves for what we knew was next. The last evening, a Sunday, we, my mom and sister and I, camped around him and thanked him for being such a good boy and giving us such joy for the twelve years and we gave him permission to go on ahead and leave for heaven and we would be there with him soon. Our other pets came and "said" their "goodbyes" to him as well.  Josh dies the next day.

Our household is still sad even today.  It is hard to see a photo or even mention his name without tears.  Our other elder dogs still look for him from time to time and that makes my heart ache as if I had a loved child die.  We will not be getting another dog now...

Our Josh....we miss you so much...we will see you soon.