R.I.P. Kiowa

All dogs go to heaven and today, Kiowa joined their ranks. It was his last day on earth. Beth took him to the vet to put him to rest earlier today. He was a good dog.

In the end, arthritis in his back kept him in constant pain and hardly able to stand. We made the decision to put him to sleep, hoping that his suffering in this world would end.

We knew that it was getting close to the end for Kiowa. With my constant traveling, I was hoping that he'd make it through to my next trip home. We couldn't put it off any longer though.

I wish I could have said my last goodbyes. I wish I could have been there to see him through it.

Instead I'm raising a glass from half a world away to remember the dog who loved snow so much that you'd find it piled an inch thick on top of him; the dog who knew that my father always had one more treat in his pocket, the dog who loved attention and was a gentle giant; the dog who was my companion and friend.

Goodbye, Kiowa Snowbear Secora.

Rest In Peace.