I'm sending today's newsletter with a heavy heart. Last week brought about a drastic change in my writing "staff." Bailey was my longtime friend, companion, and foot-warmer during the lonely process of writing. She was diagnosed with cancer at age 5 but thrived for another 7 years on three legs. The past two years, a pair of wheels allowed us to continue our brainstorm walks as usual. Unfortunately, her cancer returned this past spring.
We enjoyed a fantastic summer of lasts, doing all our favorite things--last camping trips, last days at the lake, last kayak rides, last swims. A lab/golden mix, she loved the water and found it much much more forgiving on her hind leg than land, so we've always made the most of it.
In October, I noticed the cancer had spread to her belly. Within weeks, those hard lumps were popping up everywhere. We hoped to enjoy one more Thanksgiving with our old girl, but alas, she made it clear the disease was getting the best of her. We put her down quietly the day before the holiday. I miss her like crazy.
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