Passing

I've delayed writing this post as long as I can. My little man left his sick little body in August last year. We had just moved to the country - where he would finally have a huge yard to wander around in - and he passed less than a month later. I had changed vets and the new one suggested that his teeth be cleaned (which would greatly improve his health) as well as remove a nasty benign mass that was causing all kinds of problems. She warned me that he might not do well under the anesthesia and that it was a risk. However, just 3 months earlier I was told by my then current vet that I needed to start thinking about putting him down. I went down that path but couldn't follow through - hence my change of vets.

I agreed to the surgery and teeth cleaning in June. We had ONE good day afterward, and it was a steady decline until August.  It got to the point where the only time he wasn't in pain and suffering was when I was holding him. We spent hours like this the week before his passing.

He had suffered so much during his life and I couldn't let him suffer one moment more. I held him as the vet administered the drugs, and I held him until I was finally able to let go.

Ashley was one of my greatest teachers. He was dear and tender and tough and determined. I am so very grateful he came into my life. My little man, I will always love you and miss your precious physical presence. Thank you for visiting from time to time.