On Friday, February 13, 2009 I had to put my, or should I say our, beloved Sydney to sleep.  He had all but stopped eating, even turning up his nose at treats, and was in discomfort that we were having trouble controlling.  I couldn't ask him to go on living like that, as much as I wanted to.  My next door neighbor Peg drove us to the vet while Conan stayed with her husband Jerry and their dogs.  I held my sweet boy in my arms and felt him stop breathing and his heart beat its last in my hand.  Even the vet was upset.  I don't remember loss ever feeling this painful in my life.  Conan and I miss him deeply.  Our house is too quiet, our lives too lonely.  Even though we only had our sweet boy for 3 1/2 years, I can't remember life without him, and I'm pretty sure Conan is feeling the same way.  Every day he has been looking for his brother and can't find him.

Sydney died just over a month shy of his 14th birthday.  He would have been 14 on March 17th, the day before my birthday.  We didn't have nearly enough time with him.  Everyone who met Sydney fell in love with him, because of his personality, his sweet face or the fact that when he barked his front feet would come off of the ground.  We called it 'popping wheelies'. 

Every moment of Sydney's life with us was special.  I'd never give up even a second, not for all the money in the world.  But I really, really wish I had more.  With every fiber of my being I wish I had more time with him.  My life has been changed for knowing you sweet boy.  My heart is broken with the loss of you and a part of it will always be empty for lack of you.  Thank you for choosing us.

Please, if you have pets or children, hug them closer now.  Tell them you love them.  I won't be able to whisper that in Sydney's ear anymore and I'll never feel like I told him enough.