A Very Sad Day

As I mentioned in one of my other posts, I have been writing for Associated Content. I'm proud to say I have been getting paid to do so, but today this subject matter belongs on this blog.
We are ending the long summer vacation that is a job perk of working in a school system and that always gets me feeling melancholy and sad. It is especially hard this year because I don't want to leave Bubbles, my new bulldog puppy. Add to this the horrible weather we are experiencing due to Hurricane Danny and some other tropical storm. All of this is nothing compared to what I had to do today.
Today, after too many years to count, we, as a famly made the decision to have our beloved cocker spaniel, Sandy put down. My head knows that this was the right decision but my heart, well that's another matter. I am in true pain. I know all things must die. Jesus, I was raised in the business. I know all great things end but she was a saint among dogs. My oldest son always had an unsubstantiated fear of dogs. A fear of dogs that is until the day he met Sandy. She won him over in one late afternoon when we took her home. We adopted her and I never knew exactly how old she was. My second son was home recovering from a terrible bout of pneumonia at the time. My daughter was practicing for a softball game. We left Sandy with both boys to go to the game and that is when she worked her magic. My second son began to feel better and my first son fell in love.
She was as gentle as could be, in her day. Sandy had soulful eyes that eased your pain and added to your joy. She could cuddle when it was needed and defend when she thought necessary. Our memories will always be filled with Sandy.
I love my bulldogs but I owe the fact that I have them to Sandy. I know she is playing like she once did over that rainbow bridge. I'm sure she is there with my first bulldog, Duchess. You will never convince me that dogs don't go to heaven. They are true ambassadors of God.
Both my girls are fetching balls with angels and I know we will all play together again. If they are not there, then I'm don't want to be either.