We had to put MacReady to sleep this morning. He was my first dog, and we fell madly in love with each other at first sight [just like how his daddy and I fell at first sight]. I am absolutely heart broken.

His cancer returned. We gave him a really happy extra year. He was in his mind, and left his decaying body in total peace. We all slept on the floor together last night, like a slumber party, and he died with me, G and his favorite blanket. He reached a comatose state at home, so he wasn't even aware of anything by the time we got to the vet, which was comforting, because his last coherent memory was at home with us.

The vet assistant does a sweet thing for pet owners. She's putting MacReady's paw print into clay for us, complete with his date of birth and death and his name. It'll be so nice to have that in loving memory of him. He was such a momma's boy, and I'll never, ever forget his blue eyes, his love of snuggling with me, his mischievous spirit, and the way he worked day in and day out to protect his pack. He was an amazing guy who loved his family so much, just as his family loved him.

The photo above was taken on a night when he and I had so much fun... it was 3AM, and we were laying on the floor together in the media room, just listening to music and snuggling. He really had a good run. Greg and I had promised him and each other that if the cancer returned, we wouldn't let it utterly destroy him, and we held to that promise, even though it was a very difficult.

Goodbye, my sweet boy. My Pooky Bear. I miss you already.