Cole Dog

Last night our dog, Cole, started having a really hard time breathing. He was lying around and not looking up at us. We told the kids that we thought tonight was our last night with him, and Kent and I started crying, as did Justin and Trevor. Natalie started laughing at all of us because we were crying. Then I explained what I meant, and the next time I looked at her I realized she was crying too. The only one who didn't cry was Drew. He just said to us that Cole was "goin' get him's new body wif Heavenly Father", and then he looked at just like, "Duh." We then had a great FHE about the Plan of Salvation, and then spent the rest of the evening petting Cole and talking to him. We expected him to pass during the night. This morning when we woke up he was still here, but his breathing was still really labored.

One of the few pictures from last night that Cole was not lying down on his side. He LIVED for people to pet him. If you petted him once, he would not let you stop.

One of Cole's favorite things was ice cream. We didn't know this until we lived with Grandpa Duane for a few months while our current house was being completed. Cole was too weak to eat from the bowl last night so I gave him some on a spoon.

Trevor was only able to stay outside for a few minutes. He took this very hard.

This morning after I got the kids got off to school Kent and I took him to the vet (Kent had to pick him up and carry him... not easy as he weighs almost 100 pounds). They were really nice, talked to us and told us what was going to happen. They made a clay paw print for us to keep, and then they put him down. We were right there next to Cole, and the doctor was very kind, and sat on the floor right next to Cole too. It was very peaceful, and Cole didn't feel any pain. Of course that didn't stop us from crying.

We've had Cole since May 1997. We got him when Justin was just a baby. He was a great dog. He had a great disposition, let the kids climb all over him, pull his ears and tail, and never once bit anyone. We're sure going to miss him.

I think Smokey (our miniature schnauzer) is going to miss him too. They were good buddies. He stayed right by Cole all morning. He growled at Kent and tried to bite him when he went to pick Cole up to take him to the vet. I let him smell my hands when we came home so he could smell the Cole was gone. He's crying right now, and doing his patrol to find Cole.