Today was a very bittersweet 4th of July. Checkers, our family dog, was put to sleep. He was 18 years old and sadly got very bad, very quickly. Today we took him to the emergency pet center and they told us he wasn't going to make it much longer. They told us if they did anything he could have maybe lived another 24-48 hours, but not be able to come home. With heavy hearts we said good bye and spent the night burying him under the pine tree where two of our rabbits rest. The fireworks almost sounded like a 21 gun salute as we placed him down with his forever toy. Out of many toys he was never able to destroy a simple blue ring and there is rests with him.

I didn't think I would be this hurt, but as I type, tears are clouding my vision...I just feel so bad for my mom. He was her boy and she didn't want to let him go. I honestly can't tell if I hurt more for my family or equally for him and them. Today just wasn't a good day. Thankfully he didn't appear to be in pain, though we knew he was hurting, and he slowly drifted off with all of us together by his side.

This dove flew around us when we got home and perched above our heads. It was so odd because the way it flew into our yards was like someone had released it. (I was thinking something like at a wedding when they release birds) also it was white with a marbled head. I had never seen a dove, or maybe pigeon, like that around here. As I watched it, my dad mentioned how he prayed for a sign that Checkers was okay. When the dove landed he said, "That's Checkers," and I honestly believe it was a sign.

We will miss you, Bub, with all of our hearts. The house will never be the same without your howls for Mom, your constant begging for your meals, and your peaceful naps by us on the couch.

Thank you for staying with us this long <3