Like Julie, we are losing a close friend today. Ruby, the sweet Basset Hound of our neighbors will be moving to the other side of the metro area (about 20 miles).
Wife started taking care of her and another Basset when they were only a few months old, letting them out when owners were at work. Now Ruby is 11 years old, so she's been part of our lives for over ten years.
Wife took them to the dog park after the back yard romps weren't enough. When she ended up breaking both ankles one icy winter day, I took over the dog park trips. Today will be our last visit there. Many of the other regulars at the park will also be missing her, even if she gets a little snippy at strange dogs approaching too quickly.
I know we'll still see her once in awhile, but it's still a loss after being in Ruby's life for all these years, including dealing with her diabetes discovered while her owners were on vacation. Besides the dog park visits, we get called on to feed her and give her insulin shot when "Mom and Dad" go out early on weekends and wife stays with her when they're on vacation .
In addition wife started making outfits for various holidays and dressing them up. I take the pictures and at the end of the year we make a calendar with all that year's costumes. We still have 5 more pictures to complete the 2018 calendar, so there will be those opportunities. Here's Ruby celebrating the 4th.
