It is with a heavy heart that I blog this:

It is with a heavy heart that I blog today. I've avoided this blog for nearly a week. In ways perhaps it has helped but in others it has not. We lost our beloved Topaz Friday 9/12. In the mist of preparing for a hurricane and dealing with a sick child, we had to make one of the hardest decisions a doggy momma ever has to make. Do you put your dear friend out of their misery, or hold on to them? Are you holding on for you or them?
I've always had a relationship with both my dogs that I felt was an understanding between me and canine. I feed you, you give me unconditional love. I take care of you, you take care of me. When I'm in need you are there, when you are in need, I am there. Both of my dogs have lived good, good lives.
Two summers ago, I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life. I had to put my beloved golden retriever down. She was 11 years old and my first baby. Very much a part of our family. On Friday, we had to make he same decision on our equally loved furry family member. It was with a heavy heart but the understanding that live had to go this way. Topaz was tired and I made a commitment to him to not quit him until he was ready to be quit. That sad day came on 9/12.
Goodbye old friend. Tenacious, crazy, fun-loving protector. You will always hold a special place in our hearts. I know you were told to stop doing the very thing that drove you often. Don't do this or don't do that. We loved you none-the-less! Even when you howled, talked, and broke windows to get to kitty-kitties, we loved you. We know you loved us too.
It is only fitting that this picture of you have a halo on your head. You were always the protector and the guardian.