It is with the heaviest of hearts that I type this entry. Chaba has passed on and we no longer have him to listen for the jingle of car keys, to rise at the smell of cooking in the kitchen, or to recline in the front yard sunbathing. He grew lethargic and tired over the past two weeks or so and I quietly feared the worst. A sudden illness Sunday sent me to the vet for the last time. He was in some pain and unable to eat. He was weak and wanted only to lie on the floor and sleep. Examination revealed a mass in his abdomen and at his age our options were few. We returned to the vet today and sat with him for 30 minutes, petting him, scratching all his favorite spots and then reluctantly notified the Dr. it was time. He went peacefully and we brought him home for a private family funeral. He now rests next to Judge, his predecessor, and now can rest without pain. He was the sweetest dog we have ever had and his absence cannot be quantified. He rarely made a sound, but the quiet about the house is deafening. I know I will catch myself looking for him in John's room, or sleeping on the tile in the bathroom, or think I hear him sighing mildly in the hallway. Rest easy old man.
