Well the day finally came. I had our Lab Aster put to sleep this morning. She was 15 last month and hadn't done well all year. Last winter brought out the worst in her arthritis. Then early this year the vet found cancer in her jaw. Still, up until a month ago I think she was enjoying life. She had many good swims this summer. She could no longer walk the mile to the pond, so I drove her. I had a ramp making it easier for her to get in and out of the truck. One of the highlights of the summer was working the dog guide booth at the state fair. As a retired dog guide, people were free to pet her, unlike the working dogs we had.
A few weeks ago, I realized her swollen belly was more than indulging her with extra food. An X-Ray at the vet revealed a huge tumor, likely on her liver. Over the weekend, she quit eating, and we decided it was time. Her partner from her days as a dog guide met me at the vets to say good by to her. It is unusual for the family that raised a puppy to live in the same area and be friends with a guide dog's partner. The family that had her mother also lived in the area, and the 3 families enjoyed many visits together over the last 15 years. Aster is gone, but the friendships will continue.