I have to say goodbye

To my sweet old dog today. She has been in a bad way for quite some time but yesterday we were coming in from getting some groceries and she had greeted us at the gate like she always does and she went to go up the porch steps and she feel she stood up again and tried and she could not walk up them so I picked her up and sat her on the porch and she looked at me and she had this look of absolute shame in her eyes she has had trouble with arthuritis for a long while. And lately when it snows we have been noticing her eating the snow and her teeth hurt and dad thinks that is why. So I told him last night that I would be taking her in to the vet he said something odd he said I didn't have to take her to the vet that I was supposed to take her to the humane society for that and I set him straight, not sure what he was thinking but he loves that old dog he has been fighting me on putting her to sleep. But he knows she is hurting. And so I told him I don't want my old dog to suffer anymore.
I am thirty now and I have had her since I was 17 and she was about a year old when I got her. When I first got her I lived in town with my mother and my dad didn't really think she was going to be a good dog but I brung her with me when I came back after that school year, I had wanted to get to know mom better, and Lady shined as a good farm dog. She helped another dog of ours keep the possums and coons out of our chickens and uptil that other dog died they kept the coyotes out of the cattle. The last few years dad wouldn't let her go after stuff she was so old he felt that she might be hurt trying so he fenced in the yard. Since then she has stayed the sweet old dog and my niece and nephew absolutely love her she is always kind and patient with the kids and even when they agrivate her she just moves away from them. So I hope noone thinks I am giving up on my girl I just don't want her to hurt. I am sorry this is so long but I knew you would all understand.

I have to wait until Monday to take Lady in, as my road was still very slick. My dad told me today that he thinks she would be okay for a bit longer and I told him the poor old dog is eating snow because her teeth hurt her so bad and he has had to help her onto the porch a bunch. He wanted me to wait till the next cold spell as she does some better when its warmer but I told him she hurts and he said I know that. He just doesn't want me to do it. I know he loves my old girl but right now I know she is suffering.

My niece was here today and she went outside with Lady and swept off the porch by her dog house and then sat and talked with her and loved her and she came in and she goes I know Lady will miss me because she tried to lick my face off. I didn't really know what to say.

Thank you all so much for your kind and loving words for my old girl. I can't believe she has been with me for 14 years she has been my constant always waiting for me when I come in from work and school with a wag to her tail.