We took off until two yesterday afternoon.

Let me rephrase that I did. K.O. had some time between church and lunch and ran to the shop and did a little welding.

Things seem to be coming along well on our project. In fact yesterday we didn't do one single thing to the project while I was there, we worked on things K.O. needed to get done and had let slide because of our joint project.

Krl and I had Mother's day supper instead of doing lunch. That meant I got to come in a little early from the shop.

It was not a joyous day at our home. Kids called, wishing Krl well. However, all this was over shadowed by the fact that Lady Rachel, Black Dog, is not doing well.

Saturday Krl was clipping and bathing hounds and she became very alarmed at Lady Rachel being so terribly thin. While we keep a pretty short "kennel cut" on them, they can hide their body weight with their coat.

Late Saturday, Krl began to find tell tale signs of Lady Rachel coughing up blood.

A few weeks ago, while still at the jobsite, we battled a severe kidney problem. At that point I consulted with Uncle Wade and cautioned me that when you get to be 16 years old (112 inn doggie years) parts begin to wear out. He also cautioned me that that episode could be the beginning of the end.

This morning I lay in bed for what seemed like an eternity, not wanting to get up, afraid of what I might find when suddenly I heard a cough from Lady Rachel's bed. I quietly got out of bed and made my way across the room and softly patted her on the head. She responded albeit very weakly and confirmed her affection for me.

I am sad. I am afraid that this day, some difficult decisions are going to have to be made.

Many people don't understand our relationship with our hounds. I defend nothing. We have been blessed to have had some of the very best. We began this love relationship with Sadat 1, then Duchess (a gorgeous gray vixen). Then Shadow. Then Duchie and Shadow had pups. Sadat 2, Lady Rachel (named after Lady Rachel, a black "Betty Crocker" (cockerspaniel that Krl had when we got married)), Lancelot, Prissy, and Pee Wee. While Lancelot and Pee Wee went to other homes. We kept our group in tact. We lost Sadat 1 at 4 years old. Duchess at 12. Sadat 2 at 12. Shadow at 14 (his registered name was Sadat's Shadow).

We have had the sisters, Lady and Prissy almost two years since we lost their father. The last of the family line. In April of this year they turned sixteen.

When Lady Rachel got sick at the jobsite, Krl encouraged her by telling her "Hang on until we get home".

She did. And this morning she continues to hand on by a thin thread.

Pray for her. Pray for us.

May your day be blessed.

FATHER, I pray for Lady Rachel. I thank YOU for blessing us with her, for the joy and the laughter she has brought us and all the kids and grand kids, for the memories forever etched in the confines of our minds. Be with us as we make decisions concerning her health and welfare. Give us YOUR peace in our decisions.