Saturday, we had to put our English Springer Spaniel, Dixie, to sleep. Let me tell you a little bit about her. I try to donate time every month to the local Humane Society. You can't save every dog, but you can do your part to make their last moments on this earth full of love. I was cleaning a stall and a little tongue came through the cage I was cleaning and started licking me. I looked over and saw the most pathetic sight I had ever seen. An English Springer who had been thrown from a moving pickup truck on a dirt road. One of the kennel workers had actually seen it happen and she was a mess. Large patches of hair gone with open sores from the road burn, boot marks on her butt where she had been kicked repeatedly and the most beautiful brown eyes you have ever seen. She was due to be put to sleep in the next cycle and I had to have her. I didn't care how much it cost or how much time it would take to make her whole again, but my husband and I were going to do it, regardless. It took months for her to trust humans again, but she bonded almost immediately to our other Springer that we had since he was a pup, Max. God, if you could have seen those two together. She would sit under the computer desk, only leaving to pee and maybe eat a little for three weeks. Max would actually take bones to her and share, even though she had gotten one of her own. Well, we found out two years ago that she had cancer of the nipples and abdominal area. It was operable and we nursed her back to health and back to our home. We truly loved this dog as much as a child. She was caring, loving, totally gentle. About a year ago, the vet noticed a tumor on her chest. He said that because of where the tumor was and how it was growing, that it was inoperable and that he would not recommend putting her through more surgery. So, we took our loving Dixie home and made the promise to ourselves that if we EVER saw her moan, cry or act as though she were in pain, that we would lovingly let her go. Well, that time came on Saturday. We took her to the vet and committed the ultimate act of love. We said goodbye to our sweet girl and sent her to dog heaven in our arms. We held her and told her how much we loved her as she received her injections. I think that Dixie knew what was happening as she didn't even whine, struggle or resist. She laid there in our arms and we kissed and hugged her as she went on to dog heaven. What a wonderful spirit she had. And what a wonderful vet we have. He told us that there was nothing that we could have done more to save our Dixie, but told me that I saved her once and had just saved her again. I wish that you all could have known her and had her touch your lives as she did ours. Rest in peace, little angel. I wish you a big lake, lots of bones, and the knowledge that you were loved more than you will ever know. God Bless you all and may you find peace in your grief. http://www.geocities.com/pinogal2002/Dixies_page.html