I've been on vacation, hence no updates, either a rambling or my NCAA Gators dynasty.

Still, a sad event happened today, one that I feel justifies "breaking my silence." We had to put down our dog of 14 years.

Well, I use the term "our" loosely. Tara was a puppy when my family got her; we were a family of 5 at the time—my father, my mother, my sister, my brother, and me—no one had left the house yet. Since then, I have moved out and started a family of my own. My sister is out on her own. My brother is still at home, but old enough to live on his own (he goes to school in the same city as my parents live).

In all, 14 years had passed. Tara had been through a lot, two moves, a bout with Vestibular Syndrome, much traveling, and, finally, old age. She was going blind...nearly there already. Her legs didn't work too well. Her heart was enlarged and didn't pump too well. She retained water. But, as a Labrador Retreiver, her aim was to please (part of their nature), no matter the cost to her, and she continued to try. And through it all, we knew she was suffering.

So, today at 11:15am EDT, she took her last breath and drifted away peacefully. Her body now occupies a corner of my parents' back yard. She was a good old dog, a "best friend" unlike any other.