goodbye.

...we said goodbye to chance yesterday. it's hard to believe how empty our house seems without him. but we are fortunate to have so many wonderful memories. he was a part of our family for 14 years. I remember when marc and I considered buying a king-sized bed so there would be room in the bed for the three of us (instead, we got chance his own bed and kept our queen). and how much he loved his meals. and having to be right in the middle of the action - whenever we were cooking in our not-so-very-big kitchen, he'd be right there, underfoot and not seeming to mind when we tripped over him. and how he'd tilt his head when he was waiting for someone to come in the back door. how he never barked. how he minded marc, but rarely the rest of us. they always had a special connection. these past few months he could hardly see or hear and the arthritis in his hips made it hard to move around much. but without fail, he would be waiting at the back door for marc when he got home. there were many times when I'd be sitting at my desk in the kitchen, and I'd hear chance get up to go wait by the door before I heard a car, or a door slam. but sure enough, marc's car would be in the garage...and chance would be the first one to greet him when he walked in the door. just like this.
happy dreams, chance-y, we love you and we miss you.