I knew this day was coming. I didn’t know when. Today is that day. Ruby barely went on a walk last night, and we didn’t cover any distance at all, just out to the front, down the street to the house next door and back again. That was truly Ruby’s last walk in her long life. At least she continued to walk right up to the end.

This morning I had to use a special aid to lift her up and get her outside. She barely walked back inside from the back yard, and only ate about half of her morning food. She was still interested enough in her morning treats, so she ate both of those. After that she lay down on the kitchen floor and fell to sleep. Her sleeping is peaceful, for which I am very thankful.

Tomorrow we make our last trip to the vet and we’ll put her to her final sleep.

I wanted it to end this way because she’s been the best of companions for over 16 years, having lived with us through so many tumultuous times. She is also my first “digital photography” dog in which I have a record of her from birth to death. She might also be the end of the line when it comes to having Labs in this household. My wife started with Rhett back in 1979, and we’ve had a pair of Labs in this household ever since, a good 45 years. The line was unbroken until now. Annie, the Labradoodle, will turn ten next St. Valentine’s day. Whether we’ll get another dog to be a companion for her, I can’t say.

I’ve contacted one of the vet technicians, a very good friend of ours at our vet, and so they know and are prepared. And now so am I.

I love you Ruby, and I’ll miss you so much when you’re gone.