This morning I woke up to find that our dog Eddie had died sometime in the night. We are sad.

As you may know, Eddie has been struggling with severe anxiety for the last several months since Cleo died. We had been trying everything we could possibly think of to help her and I thought we were on the right track, but in the last week she relapsed and became destructive to our house and furnishings. We don’t blame her; we know she was suffering and didn’t know how to deal with it. It’s possible that she was physically sick but we were unaware. She had been checked by the vet and there wasn’t anything obviously wrong other than her mental anguish. Either way, she was no longer the calm, happy dog that we knew.

Today I am remembering Eddie. I am grateful that she was a companion to my husband from the time she was a puppy, and she saw him through some incredibly difficult years prior to the time we met. I am grateful for the joy that she brought to our lives. I am grateful that she died at home instead of forcing us into a heartbreaking decision. I am grateful for all her years of delighted devotion.

It’s so strange to go from having three dogs just a few years ago to having none. There are reminders everywhere. The house will be much quieter and calmer now, but emptier too.