by Jeanine Ward
How long does it take to get over a broken heart? We had Bandit 13 years and he was 14 when he died last week in the vet's arms. That's the only comfort I have, he was being held which was what he loved most in the world. But I was not there, I was out of town at my parent's 50th wedding anniversary and for the first time in his life, I kenneled him. His breathing was so bad and he needed to be watched so carefully that I knew he was too delicate for a friend to babysit. Now I have to live with that decision for the rest of my life. If I had been there, maybe he wouldn't have died. He was such a perfect pet, I just wish I could have held him when he died, but it seemed he didn't want to burden me with even that. I will miss him forever, no other dog could ever replace him. Today I'm going to bury his ashes in the garden, his favorite place to sit.