One year ago, today...

One year ago today, my 17.5 year old chihuahua, Pica, was peacefully euthanized in one of the most caring veterinary offices in MS. Dr. Scott Houston gave us as much time as we wanted to say goodbye in the special exam that has a view of his aviary. I held Pica in my lap while he gave her the shot that let her sleep. We held her and stroked her back for about 45 minutes before we called Dr. Scott to administer the final shot. He kneeled down beside me where I sat. When he got up to give us more time to say goodbye he had tears in his eyes. He told us that we had taken excellent care of Pica and this final act was the best we could do for her. She was close to 90 in human years. A long life for a dog. I don't know why pets live such short lives except that there are so many of them and so few of us to give them a home. So our pets are making room for another dog or cat to find their forever home. Their 'forever' is much shorter than ours and Pica has made room for Chee-Sy who was abandoned on the side of the road out in the country and rescued by some good people. We are finally able to start putting 'Pica things' away. Our sad days are fewer. I'm afraid the hole in our hearts will remain for some time to come. But giving Chee-Sy a home helps us and her, and that must be the reason for the shortened life cycle of our beloved pets. Each year, on February 8th, I will remember Pica's peaceful end and all the wonderful staff at Dr. Scott's clinic who understood our love, pain, and loss, one year ago today.