We Say "Good Bye" to Bitty Girl

We knew adopting an "elder" dog could mean a shorter time with Bitty--but we didn't worry about that when we happily adopted her December 29, 2011! What joy she brought us for two years and five months! Rupert wasn't so sure but they really did become "best buds!" Sadly, Bitty's passing on May 13 hit us like a ton of bricks. We had been aware of her "slowing down" the past few months--she and Lindy shared a lot in common as they were pretty close to the same age! Readers of this blog are aware of our stops along our journeys with terrific vets helping us monitor Bitty's situation.

Thanks to the loving care of the following:

Minden NV:    Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital

Shady Cove OR:

• Eagle Point OR:  All Creatures Animal Hospital
• Eugene OR:  Santa Clara Animal Hospital

Stub Stewart State Park:

• Beaverton OR:  Tanasbourne Veterinary Emergency 

                                  Cascade Veterinary Referral Center

We are lucky to have Rupert who, as a dear friend pointed out, will provide us with some "comic relief in our time of grief". We just heard from good friends Bob and Jo,of How to Love Where You Go and Eat Where the Locals Eat, who forwarded a wonderful quote that puts the act of elder dog adoption in the light it should be in: "Blessed be the person who takes in and loves an old dog . . .  For their time with us is more important than our time with them". ~Adopt a Senior

So even though Bitty's time with us was less than we would have liked, we know she is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

Roving Riders (one less) holding steady for a couple of weeks on the Oregon Coast in Lincoln City. Have already had a few of those long walks on the beach and looking forward to many more.