Buttercup

Tuesday started a little rough. Although we knew the time was coming, when it did it came very fast. 630 in the morning and I find my wife outside kneeling next to our dog buttercup.

We've known for about six months that she had terminal medical problems. The vet recommended to have her live at home until her quality-of-life became such that we felt it was time.

Up until Thursday of last week, Buttercup was every bit the dog she's been for the last 15 years. Over the last couple days, she had difficulty walking, stopped eating and finally became unable to walk.

I looked at her next to my wife and I can see that she was dying. We knew what we had to do. Keeping this from the kids, my wife got them ready for school as I wrapped a blanket around Buttercup, picked her up and put her in one of the cars. My wife had already told me she did not want to be a part of this process as it was too much for her.

I took Buttercup to the vet and the process went forward. I held her, caressed her face, and talked to her as she breathed her last breath.

I was now shot for the day and pushed all work aside. I went out on my bicycle on a beautiful San Francisco day and road for 50 miles. I cried several times during the ride thinking about my dog. I got home, my wife and I discussed talking about it with our children. My wife had already purchased two dolls that resembled buttercup.

We explained everything to them and gave them the dolls. We had talked about it previously with the children so wasn't a shock but the emotion still couldn't be controlled. We all cried together.

We had this dog before we had children. So all the children ever knew was buttercup and how good Buttercup was to them.

My son took it harder than my daughter so he slept with me. I think it was a better for him. He cuddled that little doll all night.

Goodbye buttercup you were a really good companion to the family.

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No1uno
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