Barkley died peacefully in our arms 10/19/07. He died lying in his favorite spot between our chairs, and had what looked like a seizure. He was gone within 15 minutes while we petted him and talked to him and told him we loved him. He was 12 years, six months and one week old, and we enjoyed every second that we had with him.

He loved going out in the boat with us, and watching us water ski. When he was dying, I told him to pretend he was in the boat with his ears flapping in the breeze. When he heard the word “boat” his eyebrows went up–his spirit was ready to go, but his body was too weak. He stayed with me through two back surgeries, and was always there to greet me when I came home from work with his wagging tail and bright eyes.

Needless to say, we are devastated, but are grateful that he had a good life and did not suffer. Here is a picture of him doing his favorite thing.

The ache in our hearts will never go away, and the hole in our lives is huge.

Ruth from OR