It's a sad day in our household!!!

The Slow Cooking Thursday post is just below!!!

The reason there were no posts yesterday is because after 14 years of having a wonderful dog, she passed away. Our Misty!!!

We knew this day would come, during the past 4 years she progressively got slower, couldn't control her bladder, and just became quieter. It broke our hearts.

This was my husbands dog, he had her for 14 years and I remember when we first got married she took me in, she was my company when hubby had to work or deploy. She slept with me on the bed while pregnant and became extremely protective. We used to laugh because hubby would try to hug me and she would get between us.

When Jasmine was born, Misty was ecstatic, she acted like it was HER baby. She played with her, she slept next to her and just adored her. Through the years we got cats and other dogs, and Misty welcomed them all, never once did she resent them, she sort of adopted them all, they were HER babies. What a wonderful dog she was!!!

While I was getting the kids ready yesterday morning, I heard a howl outside. I looked out the window and saw Misty howling and crying and then just drop to the ground. I ran out and checked on her, she wasn't moving much and I just knew in my heart that this was it, this was the day we knew would come but were so desperately trying to avoid.

Within an hour, she had moved to a different spot in the yard. Right underneath the kids swing set, a place she loved to be when the kids were outside playing. She remained in the same spot for the rest of the day. I got down and petted her and told her I loved her and it just broke my heart. I was gone for the rest of the day, had errands to run, hubby and the kids were home. They checked on her all the time and eventually around 5pm, hubby thought it was time for the kids to say goodbye to her, which they did through tears and cries. Then he said his goodbyes too.

I got home shortly afterwards and we ate dinner, when I went to check on Misty, she was gone. My heart is breaking, I have such wonderful memories of our beautiful dog, like this one, where she wanted to be a part of everything we did, even going down slides with Jasmine.

She brought so much love to this house, and with her passing, much sadness.

My husband is devastated, this was HIS baby. Nothing like seeing your husband sitting on the ground next to his beloved dog, sobbing and heartbroken, and there's nothing you can do to make it better.

So Misty, we love you, thank you for the hugs and the kisses, thank you for being the best pet anyone could ever wish for. The only comfort I have through all this is the fact that I KNOW you're in Heaven, you're running free, no more old body to weigh you down, no more walking slowly, you're RUNNING and you're happy. WE'LL NEVER FORGET YOU!!!

The kids are having a hard time, especially Jasmine. It breaks my heart because there's nothing I can do to make the pain go away. She knows that Misty is in Heaven and that she will always be with her, but she's only 7 years old, right now she feels pain and hurt from loosing the best friend she's known all her life.

I ask that you please pray for my daughter's and my husband's heart to heal over this, and to bring Jasmine some comfort. If anyone has any ideas on how to make this easier for her, I would appreciate it, I'm having a hard time being the mom and acting positive when my heart is broken too.

If there's one thing that this shows me, is that life is precious, our pets are precious, hugs yours today, let them know that you love them, and honor them for all the love and laughs they bring us daily!!!! I would give anything to be able to hug Misty again!!!