R.I.P. Brando

Our dog, Brando, was put to sleep on Tuesday. It was time...he was very sick with a pancreatic tumor. He couldn't run or play or do much of anything anymore. The tumor was also changing his personality. It was a tumor that makes insulin, so it caused low blood sugar. That led to seizures, balance problems, and changes in his brain caused by a lack of sugar. He seemed out of it a lot of the time, and was becoming unpredictable.

We all went to the vet's together, and explained it in kid terms to the kids. They are so honest and unfettered with "shoulds" and second-guesses about emotion that they just did their thing. Sascha cried; Zoe asked "Why Bindo die?" but didn't cry. They petted him before, and after. They miss him, but they seem to know he isn't coming back.

If there is a place for dogs after this life, I know he's there running around, looking for someone to pet him, and asking for treats.