Saying goodbye to your 4-legged friend

15 1/2 years old. A constant yapper. Can no longer hear. And occasionally leaks. But as loyal as they come.
And feisty. Gives my big dog hell when my big dog presses too much. Never likes for me to be out of her eyesight.

Has had an extremely elevated liver enzymes count for several years. I give her a supplement twice daily to help, although her levels remain off the chart. Yesterday morning, she was fine. Running around, yapping, and just living her daily routine, but did not eat.

Yesterday evening, a completely different story. Won't walk. Can't hardly balance herself. Still won't eat. The only thing she will do is drink water. I've tried chicken broth in her dry kibble, a can of pumpkin and cooked some rice for her. Won't eat.

All of us who are emotionally attached to man's best friend knows that no one gets out alive and this day will inevitably happen, and no matter how much you try to mentally prepare for it, there's no other way to say it except that it sucks.

I'm optimistic that she will turn the corner today. Going to bring her to our veterinarian. But I'm also realistic as this could be her body saying it's time to shut down. Typing that and seeing it in print just gave me a lump in my throat.

And having younger children become upset is difficult as a parent, but I am sure there is a teaching moment in all of this as well.

Happy Tuesday morning to all of you.