Thank you, Gretchen and Ellie. I have to say I agree with you both.

I've known Mary (the owner) and pet-sat for her for a long time. She has given Bear (the dog) and all her pets very good care and love and lives. Bear is 11+ years old and is a medium-size dog of mixed ancestry.

After I'd already said I would pet-sit, she later got ahold to update me, saying they'd been to the vet and "Bear is dying of cancer." I thought she was next going to say she was cancelling the trip. But rather, she asked me if I thought I would be up to handling what might possibly happen or if she should make other arrangements. She said he could have several good weeks (not months) yet, but he could go downhill fast. The vet gave her a list of signs and symptoms to watch for to bring him in.

I said I'd like to come out and see how Bear is and get a sense of things. Bear was so happy to see me! He and Mary and I took a nice long walk together. I've known him for a long time, and he's a really sweet dog. I felt that, if he does need to go to the Bridge while she's away, I would as soon be with him to say goodbye to him.

Mary said she has thought this through and gone over it with her vets and decided to go ahead with her trip, which is to some remote forest in California where she can be alone to commune with nature and meditate for a few days. She feels that her and Bear's long and good times doing so much together are more significant than a possible brief end-time apart. I guess she feels she really needs the time away and the solitude right now.

Today she said he's doing fairly well, good appetite, likes to walk, a little more in the way of frequent pees.. he seems happy and alert, no scares or downturns.

With luck he'll keep on keeping on like this and there won't be any emergencies.

What an additional headache with all this happening in the midst of the window-replacing and cat-boarding.. Sparkler and Poppy are going to be the hardest ones to catch for THAT..

Sigh, with luck all will go smoothly.. Meanwhile, thanks again, everyone, and again please keep the prayers and good wishes coming..