"He hurts. Kole needs to go see Jesus."

From the mouth of my 2 year old son today came absolute truth: ""He hurts. Kole needs to go see Jesus." Which is precisely what happened today at 1:15 pm. David and I decided that it was Kole's time to go and we took him to the vet today.

Kole has been sick for some time and he has been on a steady decline since January. Over the last month he lost the ability to walk (we carried him everywhere) and when he did walk he could only make it about 5 steps and then his hips and legs would give out and he'd fall flat on his stomach. The large tumors in his stomach that we discovered six months ago started growing rapidly and he was eating less as time went on. Consequently he started losing weight rapidly and he has been nothing but skin and bones for a while. He has been so sad to watch over the last few months - my heart has been breaking for him.

Kole was the strongest, most beautiful, loyal and wonderful dog I've ever known. We always got compliments when we were out with him and he loved to swim. I've had Kole since middle school and he moved down here to Texas in the summer of 2005 to "retire" and live with David and I in warmer weather. We've had him since. Before Blaine was born David took him almost every weekend to swim in the local rivers and lakes. He was a fearless dog - he would jump off cliffs into the river and swim for hours and hours and hours until it was time to come home. He loved people and if you ever pet him he was your best friend for life. He always wanted someone touching him - if you had a hand or a foot on him, he was happy. Kole did get quite ornery in his old age. He knew what he wanted and when he wanted it and if you tried to do something different, then he would let you know that he wasn't having it. He was extremely independent and did not need any companion... except me and even though I didn't always give him the love and attention he deserved, he always loved me unconditionally. I will miss him so much, but know we did the right thing and am glad he could go in peace. Good night, Kole - I love you darlin'.

Kole... about 16 years old.

Kole is on the left with his younger sidekick, Tug, on the right.

Sweet Kole.

Kole is the one in the top of this picture - he was really healthy here. This picture was taken in September of last year when he was still a healthy weight. His highest weight, when he was all muscle, was 55 pounds. When they weighed him this afternoon at the vet, he was 34 pounds.

This is Kole almost three years ago - crashed out on a big pillow around the same time we got Tug.