We woke up early on Wednesday morning, ate our breakfast, packed some snacks and headed to our favorite place at the coast. As we drove I could hear the words going through my head traitor, you traitor. We had a great day, slowly walking along the beach, laying on a beach blanket in the sun and eating the snacks that I packed and of course drinking some nice cold water. But every once in a while I could still hear those words TRAITOR, YOU TRAITOR. As the day wore on I could see my good friend tiring, she tires much easier these days.
As I carried her to the car those words flooded my mind once again TRAITOR, YOU TRAITOR. My wonderful friend and companion slept during the entire ride home. Once home I fixed our dinners hers had a special treat, after all there was no since watching her weight anymore. Today she can have all the treats that she wants. After our dinners I watched TV while she slept some more. As I looked at her sleeping memories of our sixteen years together went through my mind like a whirlwind. Where did the years go? Sixteen years feels so short right now. Then the words came back in my head YOU TRAITOR, TRAITOR!
When bedtime came I carried my friend up to bed. As I laid in bed I could hear her labored breathing and a choking cough. I got up to check on her, she lay sleeping covered with her favorite blanket but still breathing with difficulty. I sat next to her and just watched her sleep afraid if I touched her I would disturb her slumber.
Dear Lord is it really time to say good-bye to my dear friend who has been so loving and devoted to me all these years. HOW CAN I DO THIS? And then I heard it again YOU TRAITOR, HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TERRIBLE THING TO SUCH A LOVING AND DEVOTED FRIEND. YOU TRAITOR! I fell asleep on the floor next to her.
In the morning we had a great breakfast and more treats.
With tears running down my cheeks I carried my friend to the car and sat her in her favorite place. She looked at me with concern in her eye's. I patted her on the head and said you are such a good girl and a wonderful friend. As I backed the car down the driveway and headed down the street. The words came back WHAT A TRAITOR YOU ARE, YOUR A TERRABLE PERSON. When we arrived at the vets office I opened the door and picked her up, she licked me on the cheek as if to say "I love you". Then I said it "WHAT A TRAITOR I AM, HOW CAN I DO THIS!" I told her "I love you sweetheart". The vet tech lead us back to a room. Where I laid her bed and blanket down on the floor, she crawled into her bed and laid down, as if she knew. I sat on the floor and petted her head and her paws. Just before she closed her eye's for the last time she lifted her head and licked my hand as if to say THANK YOU, MY FRIEND.

Loosing my good friend has been one of the most difficult things I have had to do. I am not writing this for pity or sympathy. I am writing this just to say PLEASE love your devoted friend. Play fetch, take him/her for a walk, give them some extra lap time, or just tell them how good they are and how much you love them. Spend some extra time with them today and whenever you think about this give your special friend a pat on the head and tell then what a good dog they are..

In Loving Memory of My Friend Maci