To Tonka

February was a hard month.

We lost our Tonka Dog.

It's a heartbreaking story.

And I'm still so very sad.

February 12, I came home from school to find Tonka had fallen in the snow and couldn't get up.  He was cold and hurt and and I don't know how long he had been stuck outside.  Mike came home and we got him in the house and warmed up.  We should have taken him to the vet at that moment...but I think neither of us were ready for the possible outcome of that trip.  By that evening he was able to stand on his own.  By the next morning he was walking like he was drunk...but he was walking.  We took him to the vet, who gave us some hope and some drugs.  Tonka got a little better.  Then we came home Friday night to Tonka stuck outside in the cold.  He couldn't stand.  He was not able to stand Saturday morning.  The time had come.  It was the right thing to do, but I am so very sad.

The best dog I've ever had.  I could take him anywhere, and he would not leave my side.  He loved me like dogs love their people.  He lived a good life, and I miss him.