Dear Reader TD: My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your beloved Minx.
Dear Reader MBarnum: Thank you for your good thoughts, posted here earlier today.
Dear Readers: The tough time I am going through Dear Reader MBarnum alluded to is largely associated with the loss of my beloved dog Roller. Over the last few months he lost a considerable amount of weight and along with it, energy. I took him to the vet a couple of weeks ago, and the vet thought it could be one of two things: an over-active thyroid condition (which a subsequent blood test proved to be not the case) or cancer. Roller's fragile condition ruled out any kind of intervention in the case of cancer, so we agreed that the best thing to do would be to keep him comfortable "until his time came." On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I noticed that he was unable to walk and at times, unable to stand. I even had to hold him up when I carried him outside to "do his business." On Tuesday night, I pretty much decided that his time had come. When I got home from an appointment on Wednesday afternoon, his condition had deteriorated even further. Off to the vet we went, and he died very peacefully in my arms.
Roller lived a great life of almost 14 years. My memories of him will draw from the days when he was in good and energetic health. His progeny, Blackjack, remains here to keep me company and, as you might imagine, he's been getting some extra-special attention in the last few days.
Dear Readers Jose and Stuart have met Roller, and many of you have expressed good vibes to him as he had his ups and downs, healthwise. So, I thought I should let you know.
