We’re having a hard time at our house right now because our beloved golden retriever, Gunther, is very ill with liver disease. We’d noticed a few small changes in his behavior, but attributed them to his getting older. But then he really started to go downhill (not eating, needing to go outside a lot more, being listless) in the last week or so.

I have to admit I wasn’t prepared for such bad news, but we have a very good veterinarian and we’re all doing everything we can to keep him happy and healthy and around for as long as possible. I know that we have to do what’s best for Gunther even if that means letting him go, but for now he’s still Gunther. I’m bringing him to the clinic this afternoon for a treatment that we hope will give him more energy and get him eating more. After that, we should have a better idea about his prognosis.

In the meantime, I’m trying to ignore the painful knot in my stomach and keep busy at home. Lexie’s been staying at friends’ and grandparents’ the last few nights, but Lily’s been my big helper. We’re taking down all the Christmas decorations so we can start the new year with a clean slate. I don’t know about you, but we all have to jump right back in on Monday. My dad helped Tim take down a big, dead tree in the yard yesterday, so he and the boys are busy dealing with that today.

I’d love to write something poignant about dogs and what they mean to us, but it’ll just make me cry and I’ve done enough of that already. So the best thing to do is keep going—none of this will be easier if I let the laundry and dishes pile up. And as we keep saying to each other whenever one of us starts to lose it: “He’s not gone yet!” But please say a little prayer for our wonderful old dog and if you have a pet you love, give them an extra squeeze, okay?