Loss of a Friend
        

This is from Phyllis. Thanks Phyllis!

I lost a friend on June 28, 1997. Her name was Dresden. We had been together for twelve years. It was so very hard to choose to help her to the bridge! She was my guide dog from 1985 to the summer of 1994. I chose to keep her.

She and I moved five times, lived in three cities, and I adopted six of my cats while she was with me. She was such a wonderful companion and friend. She was always attuned to me and my moods. When I didn't feel
well, she didn't either! When I was happy, she was too.

She was a very sensitive dog, and we had lots of interesting and rewarding times while she was with me. I miss her still. Although I got my present guide dog, Lea, in 1994, I still had Dresden for two and a half more years. I worried that she wasn't happy not going everywhere with me, but people said she was fine. She always greeted my housekeeper, and she would love
to go walking with the neighborhood children. Although she got to where she couldn't walk very far.

One morning, about three weeks before the final day, she couldn't get up. I called a friend to help me take her to the emergency clinic. They helped some, but then I had the same trouble so took her to my vet and they had kept her for a week. She did not get better! They brought her home, but she would not walk! I was devastated! Although the vet gave me ten days of meds, I could  not watch her die this way!! I had to say good-bye!!

How do you  do that? I don't know, today. It is never easy! I did not sleep at all that night before I took her to the vet! She refused to take the meds, and I knew she was tired. Even her favorite Kitty, Arthur, was sad!! If I don't stop writing, I will still start to cry, because I still miss my friend!

Dresden, I love you, and I know you are happy! I miss you, but you are not in pain any more. I am glad I had you for as long as I did. My sweetheart yellow lickradore retriever!!!
 

Phyllis, Llea & capmbmmiib