Sandra, my small Maltese, lacked 14 days of becoming 15 years old.  She, with my decision, ended her precious life on February 1, 2007.  A decision that could not be avoided, left my life with so many memories of love and devotion.

She suffered and was attended, somewhat over two years, for kidney failure by a fantastic specialist and my unrelenting assistance and loving care, including several medications and lactated ringers to keep her feeling quite good considering the severity of her illness.

On her visit to her vet, she had a routine ultrasound, which she endured periodically and a stomach cancer was detected.  It was inoperable and I don't believe she could have survived, nonetheless.  I was told to take her home and spoil her with all the food, which she was not allowed during her treatment for her other illness.  It broke my heart, albeit, I knew the time was extremely short.

I am still totally devastated when I had to make the decision to relieve her of her pain, which was short, but with no relief in sight. I have not been able to put her out of my mind each and every day and miss her miserably.  My only consolation is that she is pain-free, happy, and in a better place waiting for me someday.  For some reason, it doesn't help as much as I thought it would.  I need help accepting the fact I did the only right thing for her, as we are selfish when it comes to departing with the most faithful thing I will ever have in my life.

I love her so.  Sandra, my love.

Cathy Evans
(Sandra's Mom)