Wendy's 12th Birthday

And on the heels of the loss of Lucky, Wendy turned 12 yesterday. We celebrated with a party for her friends from school and church at the Funplex, a local amusement venue that has to be experienced to be truly understood. I'm not sure we will ever have another party there, but Wendy did love the chance to be there this year, and she and her friends had a wonderful time.
The only shadow over the day was that Wendy had apparently really been hoping for/counting on an iPod as a birthday present. Looking back over the past month or two I know she had mentioned it a few times, but I thought it was clear to her that we did not feel ready for that and that her party was her big present. But I guess she had hung on to her hope. So she felt quite sad several times throughout the day, and though she really enjoyed the party and loved the presents from family and friends, she also had to manage her feelings of disappointment which was hard.
A few pictures of morning present opening and then the Funplex extravaganza:

Farewell to Lucky

It was with very heavy hearts that we made the decision that it was time for Lucky to pass on. He had been getting more and more infirm, seemed very confused and sad much of the time, was completely blind, and was having a harder and harder time getting up for his walks. We prepared the girls as best we could by reading The Tenth Good Thing about Barney together and making a list of good things about Lucky. As well, Fer took pictures of him and we looked at his old photo book together. He was such an energetic, happy, good-looking dog in his prime! Wendy gave him a last treat of cheese and petted him to say goodbye.
Chris and I took him to the vet after the girls went to school, and we were with him the whole time. It was very peaceful, he was in my arms as he got the first injection to put him to sleep, which he hated as he always hated shots at the vet! But we had brought deli turkey with us and a few slices of that calmed him down and then he just snuggled and completely relaxed into sleep. I could feel his heartbeat and how warm he was and his breathing. Then the vet and nurse put him on the table and we were able to talk to him and pet him while they did the second injection. They left us alone with him for a little while and then the vet came back to check and he no longer had a heartbeat. We were both so sad -- though I went to work after I will say I wasn't at all productive as I posted his obituary on Facebook and then cried at my desk for hours as the condolences came rolling in. It was amazing how many lives he had touched -- lots of people from my days in New York, working at St. James and at KIPP, wrote to say that they remembered him. He was truly a wonderful dog and a part of our family.
Below his obituary and a few pictures:

Rest in peace Lucky dog, our beloved and faithful boy. For the past 16 years we were the lucky ones - you gave us so much joy, laughter and devotion. We believe that you are now whole and strong again, chasing deer and stealing cheese in the Happy Hunting Grounds. We will love and miss you forever. Til we meet again . . .