The Tender Heart of a 2-Year-Old

I awoke this morning to the sound of Jeff helping Melina in the bathroom. She was quite chatty as she can usually be this early in the morning. Jeff asked about an owie she had on some part of her body. She told him about it and then said "yes, Daddy, just like Rodney--he had too many owies so he is now with Jesus."

Oh, how that touched my heart. Nearly 4 months later, our 2-year-old still brings up the precious memory of our beloved dog. May you keep that with you always, sweet baby girl!

Thank you, dear Lord, for this wonderful moment today!

Rodney

On February 24, 2010, we put our beloved friend and companion, our 10-year-old golden retriever, Rodney, to sleep. He had battled arthritis and presumed hip dysplasia for many years, and was on heavy pain meds. He endured major surgery 3 years ago to remove a benign lipoma from his side, and had many, many more lipomas on his body, including one very large one on his neck that was beginning to interfere with his sleeping and eating.

As difficult a decision as it was, we finally agreed that it was time, and our wonderful vet, Dr. Talbot, came to our house and put him to sleep. We gave Isabelle the choice of staying here or leaving. She chose to not stay, so Jeff and our dear friend Wallace held him while Dr. Talbot administered the injection. Jeff and Wallace buried him in the desert lot across from our house, where he chased many, many a tennis ball, his absolute favorite activity! In fact, we buried his tennis balls with him!

May you rest in peace, dear boy, and we will all see you again someday! We love you always! You were such a good boy!



Rodney and his "sisters" on his last day. I took him out on a hike that morning also; he was tired but he had been very happy to do something he hadn't done in so long because of his arthritis.