Goodbye sweet Blade girl....

My heart has never hurt as bad as it did today when i had to put my sweet angel Blade to sleep. Now this dog was far more than a dog. She has been my faithful and loyal companion for 15 years. I remember the day i picked her out at the pound. She cowered in the back of her kennel and i knew if i didn't take her no one would, so i took my timid puppy home and gave her the best life i could.

We moved into my very first apartment together, she was with me through a "left at the alter" heartbreak, then with me during my marriage to my first husband. She got me through the rough times that followed my divorce and onto my marriage to Ryan. She was there to greet our sweet baby Ella Mae the first time we brought her home and put up with toddler abuse even in her old age of arthritis.

The only regret i have is that i have had to leave her these last 2 years while i have been living over seas, but i am blessed that she has been well cared for by our friends and was surrounded by her pack, DeoGie and Kooter.

My heart breaks today as i was not prepared to put her down, but after some grim news on blood work it was decided that this was the best thing to do for her. My daughter picked her as the favorite and referred to her as "Blaze" and i was sad that she will not get to play with her anymore, but so blessed that they met each other.

Blade was the kindest, sweetest old girl that i have ever known. We estimate her age to be near 17 and she has hung in there through many cold winters despite her horrible arthritis. Today she gave me a goodbye kiss, something she doesn't do and then she laid in my arms and fell asleep happy and peaceful. My heart is broken, but i am a true believer that right now my silly girl is playing in the greenest field you can imagine, running and rolling and totally pain free. One day i will see her again and those perky ears will welcome me to paradise.....

Pay Tribute.....

My small community, i call home, here in the gorgeous Black Hills was hit with true tragedy the week we returned from India. 3 police officers were brutally shot, 2 died and one is recovering. It shook out little community violently....

Today Ella Mae and i had the privilege of standing along the precession route as they carried fallen officer Nick Armstrong to his final resting place, last week they buried Officer Ryan McCandless. Although i have never met either of these 2 very brave men, my heart was struck with the loss of not only 2 brave officers, but 2 young men who were just getting their lives started. I grieve for those that knew and love them, all those they left behind. As the thousands of people drove by headed to the cemetery i could not hold back the tears. The law enforcement community took a huge hit in this and it was evident on all of their faces. So many people came from all over the Midwest to pay their respects.

We are not a large community, we are small and close. We still smile at those we don't know and happily hold doors open for each other, this just isn't the place where police officers get shot in broad daylight! Still now i sit here trying to express what i feel with tears threatening to fall. I feel so proud of our City as we have stepped up and honored our fallen protectors. It mends the heart a little to know that we are still small enough to care! Our men and women of law enforcement are there for us at all costs, so i will certainly remember that next time i get pulled over, that maybe i am to blame and not the officer just doing his/her job.

I am blessed to be a part of such a great city filled with amazing people, God bless you Officers McCandless and Armstrong, may you be in paradise tonight. My prayers will remain with those you loved who are left behind......