Sleep well, sweet girl...

Sad day today. It was a day I knew was coming, and yet still was harder to face than I had imagined.

We had to say goodbye to Maddy today. She lived for 9 years and 3 months. Old by Berner standards, but not nearly long enough.

Touted by all who knew her as the worlds' greatest dog, she was kind to everyone, well mannered, sweet and loving, protective and fiercely loyal. I have no doubt that, if the need had ever arisen, she would have laid down her life for any one of us. She gave us everything she had to give, and asked only for a cozy spot next to us to sleep.

But in the end, we had to do what was best for her, regardless of how painful it is for us. She was suffering, and clearly in pain. Wasting away literally before our eyes, she was no longer able to wag her tail - pain or exhaustion, or a combination of both prevented that. She was not able to be the dog she had been, and looked at us as if to ask us to make it all stop. This morning, I could take it no more. The vet agreed with my take, and she will be burried in Mom's yard, next to her brother, Spencer.

We will miss you, Maddy... There will never be another dog as amazing as you.

Swiss Star's Great Expectations, aka Madison.

January 9th, 1998 - April 2, 2007.