Cookie
It is with a very heavy heart that I write this. After exhausting every effort to help our sweet Cookie be pain-free and comfortable, it was clear that she could not be. She stopped eating and drinking and was no longer receptive to my attempts to force feed her. The pain she suffered throughout her GI tract kept her from eating and drinking and the medications she has been on have not helped enough. At 9:30 this morning she went quietly into what I hope is a place where she finds peace and where I too will find her one day. She certainly was loved here and will desperately be missed. She was the most humble dog I will ever know. She didn't want to be a bother. She was a beautiful, beautiful life......dear, sweet Cookie, I love you so! It was a privilege to have you in our family. Be free little one.

Corey
As some of you know, my Corey has been gamely battling arthritis (with weekly rehab) for the past year or so. For the past 2 wks he has been getting weaker and Thurs he started refusing 'regular' food. Took him in to see Dr Davis who said take him in for bloodwork. His bloodwork showed extremely elevated liver enzymes (prior blood work 2 mo ago they were mildly elevated) and Dr Timmerman found a large mass in his liver (2 mo ago just a small enlargement, ultrasound last year showed nothing). Over the past 2 days he has steadily declined. He will eat 'special' things like cheese and eggs, turkey meatballs, but nothing substantial. Anyway, he insisted on going to church with me this AM. Took him out to try to potty and he went to the back of the van and wouldnt budge so I opened it up and put down the ramp and he got in. After church he got out and Father Tom blessed him and Corey got to say goodbye to several of his 'church friends' who remember him from the annual animal blessing. I got ground turkey and chicken livers on way home. made him some small turkey meatballs which he will eat. Am reserving chicken livers for later. He will perk up for about 5 minutes at a time and then just go dull again. (And this is a dog who even 3 wks ago with crippling arthritis exuded energy go could almost 'see' it vibrate off him.) . I am contacting Lap of Love and scheduling for Tuesday late afternoon I think. The sun is supposed to return Tuesday and I STILL feel like he wants to see the sun again. If he seemed to be in pain then no I wouldnt drag him on but he isnt exhibiting any of the pain symptoms.Here he is in the van, quite pleased with himself for getting me to take him to church. He is sleeping at my feet right now. The other dogs are being very considerate and allowing him the 'special spot' and not jostling for position. DB is curled up on my left, Banshee in the doorway, Snoopy in the hall. Prayers and setter zen for my Corey, my magnificent wild Irishman, on his final journey.