My old man Douglas left for the Bridge on April 26, 2006 after only 8 short months as part of our household. I saw his adoption page the first day Alexa had him up on the site, in mid August, and his story touched me from the first. I called Alexa that night and told her that if he hadn't been adopted by September he was mine. She did the background check on me and agreed to our adopting him, thanks Pat and Alexa!! We went to pick him up in early September, a grouchy, stubborn old man with warm brown eyes and long ears. I loved him immediately, he got a bath right away, grumbling the whole time!! He settled into life here, and I knew he was finally comfortable the day he rolled over for a belly rub, about 2 months into living here. He tried to establish dominance with the household, and we did have issues to deal with, but he was a part of the family and we never looked back, we loved him unconditionally. He loved his food and to be petted, he loved to talk, certain beds were his favorite, he didn't like car rides or trips to the vet. In mid April I noticed a lump under his ribcage, I was making plans to get him into the vet at the end of the month, On April 22nd, he started panting and was very uncomfortable, and I took him into the vet on Monday morning, and the news wasn't good, at his age surgery really wasn't an option, so we took him home to decide what time frame we had. Douglas made the decision for me, he wouldn't eat, slept all day, and looked to me to take away the pain, I slept on the floor with him Monday night, and every hour or so he would look at me, and I knew what he was asking, "How long do I have to hurt Mom?", I couldn't let my boy suffer, so on Tuesday, April 26th at 2:00 pm, I took him to the vet and he left for heaven in my arms. He is buried under a special pine tree in our front yard. He was a special boy, I am so grateful Alexa trusted me with this senior houndie, he taught us so very much and I hope he knows how very much he was loved and we were blessed by his presence in our family. Until we meet again my old man, we love and miss you everyday. Your forever momma, Tammara