Saying Good Bye

Today I had to do something long anticipated but I was never really ready for. I had to put my first dog, Ashlin, to sleep due to her cancer. She put up a hard fight and lived happily past the maximum time frame the vet originally gave us. I know everyone says their dog is 'the best dog in the whole world'; I will not tell you that. I know better; she drove a lot of people nuts. She hated strangers, barked at everyone who walked past the house, was terrible for car rides, and begged for food like a pro. What I will say is she was the most amazing partner any kid could have had. She taught me more about training dogs than any instructor, video, or book ever could. She helped me raise three service dog puppies and my next two pets. She was a more attentive babysitter than I ever was. No one shined in an obedience show ring like she did when she wanted to. (As her three Indiana State Fair First Places and one PERFECT score showed.) She will be missed.

R.I.P. Ashlin