This is Gracie, my Cocker Spaniel. She was put to sleep this morning, somewhere around 9:30 AM, after being my friend and companion for almost eleven years. She was beautiful, fun, and always happy. there was hardly a moment when her little stubby tail wasn't wagging.

A few months ago she was diagnosed with end-stage metastatic liver cancer. It slowly took the energy out of her, but she still managed to make that little tail go. This morning, my mother found her, unable to use her hind legs. She picked her up, carried her where she needed to go, and then drove down to our family veterinarian. My mother and sister were with her when she went, as easy as falling asleep.

Gracie, wherever you are, I hope you are better off; and I wish I could have been there with you in the end. I love you, and always will.