Bronco

This is my 1000th post. I had planned to do a fun giveaway to celebrate but that is going to have to wait because right now, I don't feel much like celebrating. 2013 continues to be a rough year for my little family. On June 1, we found out that Quin's father has Stage 4 lung cancer. Devastating news that came out of the blue.

Less than a week later, on June 7, I put Quin on an airplane to go see his dad in Utah, and on the way home from the airport I stopped at the vet because Bronco had this lingering cough that seemed to be getting worse. At the vet, I found out that our sweet doggie had cancer. It had metastasized from somewhere in his body and was now in his lungs, which was causing the coughing. I had to call my poor husband and tell him, as he was preparing to go visit his ill father, that not only would we lose his dad--but that we would also lose his beloved Bronco-doggie. That was terrible.

Quin was gone for a week. I didn't tell the kids about the dog because I wanted to wait until The Mister got home. The first night I found out about Bronco, I laid on the floor next to him and sobbed and begged him to last until Quin came home, so that he could say good-bye.

After a very emotionally difficult week for both us us, Quin came home last Friday night, the 14th. Bronco had been doing sorta okay the week previous, but on Saturday he quit eating and we knew that meant that he didn't have long. Each day he got worse and worse--I am still surprised at how quickly he turned. I truly believe that Bronco did what I asked--he waited until Quin came home, but that was all he had left.

Partners in crime

On Sunday afternoon, we had a photographer friend come over and take a few last pictures of us with our doggie and once she left, we broke the news to the kids. It was something I'd been dreading and it really was a heartwrenching as I had feared it would be.

Yesterday we had to make the difficult decision to let our sweet Bronco doggie go. We both know that we did the right thing, as he was suffering, but it was still the most difficult thing I've yet to do. It was horrible. Waking up to an empty house this morning has been heartbreaking.

Meeting a newborn Maren

Bronco came to live with us in January, 2005. I was very pregnant with Maren and we wanted to get a dog before she was born so that we didn't have to deal with a brand-new dog and a brand-new baby at the same time. We found him through a local lab rescue and I do not exaggerate when I say that the minute we met him, we knew he was ours.  Labs as a breed are known for being good with kids but Bronco was exceptionally patient and kind and loving with our children. He truly loved being around kids and was so happy when he got to go outside and play with all the neighbor children. He was THE BEST DOG EVER and I'll fight anyone who says otherwise. Our hearts are broken to lose him.

And yet, the heartbreak is not over for us. Sometime before too long, we will have to say good-bye to Quin's father. We're headed to Utah this weekend because we need to spend time with him while we can. We have many difficult times ahead of us, not the least of which will be telling our kids about their Papa.

My one consolation in all of this: Bronco and Quin's dad loved each other.

I believe that the death of our mortal bodies is not the end. I believe that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to be happy. I believe that we can be with our families for eternity. I believe that a loving Father in Heaven would not give us stewardship of animals, let us love them and make them part of our families, and then never let us see them again. I just don't think a loving God will operate that way. I truly believe that we will see Bronco again. And I like to believe that when Quin's dad leaves this mortal life, there will be Bronco's furry head and  waggy tail waiting for him, to make the transition easier. I know they can take care of each other and that is a comfort for me.