Love Thursday-Kirby

Meet Kirby. Kirby was our friend's dog. She had Kirby for at least 14 years. Over the last few months, Kirby's body was in noticeable decline. Kirby belonged to our friend, who brought him to her marriage to another friend of ours, and gradually he saw the birth of their two girls. After 14 years, it became obvious that keeping Kirby alive on 10 medications per day was hurting him as much as it was hurting his owners. So, this week, actually today, Kirby was laid to rest. It was a tough decision. But, our friend knows this was the right decision. While it was hard to decide to let Kirby go, and harder to tell her daughters that Kirby would not be around, it was for the best. You see, Kirby loved to be around our friend. He loved being part of the family He loved "protecting our friend from intruders and licking his way through guests. This week, Kirby could do none of those things. Kirby could barely stand up. His bark was barely noticeable, he had become a shadow of his former self. But, the love for our friend was still there. He still loved being part of the family. You could still see the love between pet and owner, between protector and protected.

Today's Love Thursday is for Kirby. For all those good family pets out there. May you run and jump like you did when you were a puppy. For all those facing a hard decision to let a pet or loved one go, may you find peace and love in your choice.