Dogless in Seattle

[akirlu]

Sarah's gone. We took her in to be put down today -- Saturday evening
the tumor on her clavicle ulcerated through her skin, and the string
of smaller tumors on her leg were bothering her to the point where she
was obsessively licking herself raw. And, as we noticed at the vet,
there was another large tumor forming on her spine. So it just seemed
like it was time. She was game right to the end, though. We walked
her over to Earthworks park this morning and she was still eager to
chase the ducks and leap into the muddy shallows. She always did run
full tilt right to the end of her tether. We will miss her terribly
and I don't know that I'll be ready to talk about her in person soon,
so I just wanted to let y'all know to save anyone having to
ask after her the next time we see each other. I don't know when I'll
be ready to deal with in-person condolences either. I'd just rather
not break down in public. I know you're all kind-hearted and generous
and well-meaning and so if we see each other and we don't talk about
Sarah, I will not be offended. (E-mail is fine, I can be a blubbering
wreck at home.)

And, we got a month more with Sarah than I feared we would, back in
early September. It was a good September. We got a lot of beach
time, she dug many holes in the sand, chased a great many sea birds,
and got a great many people-food snacks. So there's that.