This day began not unlike any other day over the past weeks, although it is hard to say exactly when this day started for Willie. He has had constant trouble breathing due to the size of the tumor, and finding an acceptable position to sleep in and breath through his mouth has been difficult. His Dad started this Monday morning at 5:45 a.m. with the normal routine of preparing to go to work. Although sleep for him has been light, knowing that Willie has not been very comfortable. After spending some time in the bathroom, and finally getting dressed, his Dad found him on Mom's side of the bed with his head hanging over the edge. This was not an unusual sight because it has been used by him many times before. Before putting on his shoes, his Dad picked him up and took him outside to see if he had to pee. Willie has been drinking much water lately, for what exact reason is not known. A good guess would be that it helps to take away the dryness in his mouth and throat due to having only one way to breathe, and the Prednisone he has been taking twice a day can cause an increase in water intake, so his having a full bladder was not uncommon. Today, though, Willie had no interest in heeding nature's call, so he just stood on the patio and stared at his Dad. His Dad saw no point in pushing the idea on him, so he picked him up and carried him back to bed where his Mom and Herd still rested. Several times before, his Dad has been able to lull him into a deep sleep by placing him on his back and gently stroking his chest and belly while giving him plentiful kisses on his cheek and behind his ear. So his Dad tried again by resting Willie on his pillow. It was working well as long as his Dad continued to stroke him, but falling off to sleep this way was not on the day's agenda. His Dad finally left him next to his Mom so he could try to find his own way to fall asleep. His Dad left the bedroom, hating to have to be pushed for time, and continued the morning's routine, but not before telling Willie that he needed to try to rest. It was 6:30. That was the last time Willie would see his Dad.

At 6:50, his Mom awoke to Willie's familiar bark. He was sitting expectantly on the floor near the bed and seemed to be saying "Get up Mom, it's time for cereal." His Mom got up and took him outside in case he needed to pee before breakfast. As with his Dad earlier, he didn't. She took him inside for his usual bowl of Total. Willie was hungry. After cereal, he took his daily Phenobarbital and Prednisone in cheese. Mom gave him an extra bit of cheese and he gobbled it down too. Willie's being such a hardy eater was good to see. Sometimes, when he got his dinner at night, he would stand there and look at it, not touching a bite. His Dad would take a fork and help him eat, serving it to him one bite at a time until it was all gone. He would talk to Willie all the while, telling him how tasty it was. Willie was given much praise after finishing his supper. It was a toss up to decide if he really wasn't hungry or whether he just wanted his Dad to feed him. It didn't much matter. His Dad would have done it for whatever the reason. The Prednisone, though, has given him a very good appetite, so it was sometimes necessary to keep him from pushing Herd away from his dinner and eating that too. Mom then dressed for her morning run outside, and told Willie and Herd to be good boys and she would be right back. They were always good boys. When Mom returned, Willie was barking at the door. She came in, picked him up and carried him into the bedroom. Mom then showered. Willie sat on the floor and watched while his Mom got dressed for work- the usual routine. When it was time to "go to Grammy's," Willie was at the door ready to go. When Mom opened the door, Willie went right through and down the front steps by himself. He didn't wait for his Mom to carry him, as he often did. Mom followed Willie and Herd to the van, opened the door, and put them both in the front passenger seat- their usual spot. In minutes, they were at Grammy's. It was 9:05. As always, Herd nearly knocked Mom over to get out first. Then Mom carefully handed Willie to Grammy, telling him sweetly to "be a good boy," which he always was. Mom backed out of the driveway and paused to wave at Willie and his Grammy. That was the last time Willie would see his Mom.

Grammy carried him part way to the house, then she put him down and he walked the rest of the way to the steps leading to the family room. Herd was not far behind. Grammy picked Willie up and helped him into the house, then went on to do the morning's chores. Oscar was there to greet Willie and Herd as he had done every morning with sniffs and licks being exchanged. At 9:15 Herd decided to go out back, and Oscar went with him. Willie proceeded to the kitchen to get a good long drink of water. It wasn't hard to tell when he was drinking since breaths were being taken in unison with the laps of water. He then rested inside for a while, making a nest from the woven rugs that laid in the sun room. It was a sight to watch him pull them this way and that. Finally, after he had gotten them just right, he would curl up and lay on them. He would perform the same act in the evenings at home in the family room with his blankee, sometimes moving the blankee halfway across the room before he got it just the way he wanted, and then again at bedtime with the bed sheets. Rarely was he so fussy about anything else. At 9:45 Willie went out back for a walk in the grass beside the herb garden his Grammy kept. Then he turned and came back toward the house, stopping on the patio blocks. It appeared he was getting a little sleepy since his hind legs were acting like rubber bands, dropping out from under him, so he decided to lay right there for a while. His Granpa took one of the woven rugs from the sun room and gently eased it under him so to have a nicer area to rest on. Although he was in the shade, he was panting heavily. Since his Granpa had made him more comfortable, he settled down for a half-hour nap. Upon waking, he wanted to return inside the house. At 11:05 Willie had to go outside again. He obviously needed to pee badly. So much so that he traversed the steps without any assistance. Then it was back inside for his daily cheese, which he shared with Oscar and Herd. His Grammy would always give her three boys cheese at noon day, followed by their heart-worm tablets. It was time for Grammy and Granpa to have their lunch. The boys would gather for their portions too. Willie wasn't getting his share quickly enough or in a proper quantity, so he told his Grammy so with several barks. His Grammy responded with more tidbits. Willie was normally the vocal one of the group. It wasn't difficult to tell from his barks exactly what he wanted, and he would increase his dialog if things weren't happening soon enough to his liking. He would talk to his Grammy almost every day when his Dad would come for him. Dad and Grammy would sit and talk for a while, but would soon be interrupted by Willie's request for a snoot-snack. Grammy would oblige his request once or twice, but he would become very insistent when the treats stopped coming. Soon the barks would be joined by bounces. His Grammy would reach down to pick him up, but he would back away, letting her know that that was not what he had in mind. He wanted another treat. Of course, the other boys would reap the bounty too. After lunch, Willie and the boys took their normal outdoor jaunt and soon returned to the house.

At about 12:45, Willie was ready to go outside again. He had been spending much time out there this day. He walked out to the edge of the black gum tree and lifted his tail, a sign that he was peeing. Then he wagged his tail several times and laid down. He rested there for a while, lowering his head to relax. Because this would cut off his breathing, he would regularly lift his head to get a good breath. This act limited his ability to get a good rest. Grammy and Granpa watched him closely, as they always did no matter where he went. Since Willie seemed content in this spot, his Granpa went to the garage and retrieved a piece of carpet just his size for him to rest on without having to deal with bugs and the dampness of the grass on his belly. He laid there resting while Granpa went over to the little Sequoia tree he had grown from a burl to add soil to its pot. Granpa would look back at Willie now and then to see that he was okay. His Grammy watched him constantly, though, from the sun room. Willie continued with his breathing requirements for a time, and then laid over on his left side to continue his nap. His breathing was more normal in this position, and Grammy could watch his tummy going up and down with every breath.

The Lord then looked down upon Willie, and held him in his arms. This moment of peace and tranquillity in Willie's life meant that all was right in his world. He had loving parents and grandparents who showered him with constant affection, which he returned to them twofold. He had warm and comfortable surroundings to live in. He wanted for nothing. Every day he lived was answered with an assurance of continued happiness. But it was time to go to an even brighter tomorrow, where he could run and frolic without the sickness that was slowly draining his strength. He would not be with his family, but with others who would love him just the same. So the Lord gathered him up from the confines of his earthly bounds, and with one final, small jerk, possibly a last attempt to regain his life, Willie left the body that had kept his soul for almost eight years. He was gone.

His Grammy watched as the life passed from his little body. She saw it was now still. Granpa checked on him, and saw no signs of breathing. Then he checked for a heart beat, but found none. Willie was limp and lifeless. Granpa went to the house and got Grammy. They returned to Willie and both checked him for signs of life. Grammy knelt down to kiss and talk to Willie, but there was no response. His Granpa picked him up and carried him to the house, laying him down on the kitchen floor not far from where he used to get his water. He then got Willie's blankee, the one his Grammy had made for him years ago, and laid it over him. It was his coat of many colors, taken from Joseph in the Bible. Grammy immediately called his Dad at work to let him know what had happened, and his Dad rushed home to be with his boy.

When his Dad got there, his Granpa directed him to Willie's location. Granpa pulled back Willie's blankee to reveal him lying there, resting on his side as if in a peaceful sleep. His Dad knelt down beside him and stroked him softly, tears swelling up in his eyes and finally running free. Herd and Oscar were close by, but were not sure what to make of it all. This was a new situation for them to deal with. While waiting for Grammy to return, his Dad thought it best to contact his Mom with the news directly. He finally got through to the office and left a message for her to call, as she was still out to lunch. Grammy soon returned with the coffin. It was 25" x 15" x 9", just big enough for Willie to rest in comfortably. His Dad and Grammy stood near him, holding each other and sharing the tears. His Dad stepped away, hoping that Mom would soon call. Grammy knelt down beside Willie, putting her arms around him and talking to him sweetly. His Mom soon called. Dad answered the phone and tried to find the best way to break the news to her. It was a very difficult conversation for both of them, even though they both knew that this moment was coming. His Mom could not leave work, so she was faced with continuing her duties the best that she could.

His Dad decided it was time to take him for his last drive home. He carried the coffin out to the car and placed it in the trunk, then returned to the kitchen to carry him out. His Dad had had to collect him up and take him home before while he was sleeping, but this time was very different. Willie would not be lying in his Dad's arms so tensely. It was difficult to do it as gently as before. Willie was laid in the back seat and Herd took his usual position up front. His Grammy and Granpa saw him off as they had always done when his Dad came to get him and take him home, but this day would mark the end of that routine. His Dad got him home and put him on the bed in the front spare bedroom, still snuggled up in his blankee. His Dad talked to him and gave him loving kisses just as he had always done, but the emotions flowed too heavily to make the pain his Dad was feeling inconspicuous even though no one else was there to see it. It took a long time to gather up the things that were needed to prepare Willie for his last, but finally peaceful, sleep. His Dad wrapped him securely in his blankee. Five safety pins were used to keep it around his little body. The pillow his Grammy had also made for him recently to help him rest easier was placed in his coffin to make him more comfortable. Willie was then laid in his coffin, lying on his right side. He always seemed to rest better that way. Two new chew-eez rawhide strips and two snoot-snacks that resembled milk-bones were placed next to his head on the pillow. Willie loved chewing on the chew-eez, and would always ask his Mom or Dad to hold it for him while he chewed. He would occasionally steal Herd's when he wasn't looking, giving two to choose from. Now he had two of his own, and wouldn't have to share them with anyone. Snoot-snacks were also a favorite treat. He asked for them often. He would lead you to where they were kept and was always grateful when he got one. But one was not always enough. Many evenings at home were spent listening to Willie ask for more. These two he took with him would surely not last him long. His Dad left him for a short while to compose a prayer to be said over his grave. A copy of it was placed in the coffin with Willie.

When his Mom finally got home from work, the tears flowed again as she and his Dad held each other and grieved. They talked and decided that Willie should be laid to rest in the rose garden at the corner of the pool. A new rose bush was to be placed over him. Its name is Mr. Lincoln, a hardy red rose. That name was fitting, since Willie was often referred to as Mr. Will. It was about 6:00 p.m. His Dad called Grammy and Granpa to tell them that they should come over for the burial. They soon arrived, and the work began to prepare Willie's resting place. His Dad and Granpa enlarged the rose bed by removing the grass sod. Then the task of digging began. The weather was gray with thunderstorms looming nearby. Mom and Grammy stood by as the hole was dug. Dad handed Grammy a copy of the prayer he had written. Grammy read it and cried, saying it was beautiful. Grammy asked his Dad if he had read the story she had about the Rainbow Bridge. He said he hadn't. Grammy said she would give him a copy of it. His Mom read the prayer too. She hadn't seen Willie yet and thought it would be better not to. After reading the prayer, Mom and Grammy went to see Willie and his prepared coffin. As his Mom stepped inside the house to see her baby boy one last time, Grammy stayed just outside the door so Mom could have some time alone with him. Mom knelt down and carefully opened Willie's coffin and saw that he was wrapped very neatly in his beloved blankee. She slipped her hands under the blankee and felt Willie's tummy and flank. His body was quite stiff but not cold. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued to stroke Willie's body and pat his head. She told him how much she loved him and the tears really flowed as her shoulders shook with grief. Mom knew that Willie was probably looking down from heaven and wondering why she was so sad. She gently caressed Willie's nose one last time and replaced the lid to his coffin. It was his time to go. Mom knew that he would be free from pain and was now in a much better place. She also knew that he would be a good boy and someday we all will be together again, but that right then, there was a big hole in her heart. She was going to miss her baby boy so much.

The rain would hold off no longer, and came down heavily. His Dad and Granpa were soaked as they finished the grave. Everyone then huddled under the patio umbrella to wait out the storm. Mom went and got towels for Dad and Granpa to dry off with. Willie's Dad said that God cries at the best funerals, in reference to the heavy rain. Granpa recalled an early Hawaiian saying that, "When the Heavens Weep, the Earth is Being Fed." It seemed fitting for the moment. After a while, the rain slackened. It was time to prepare Willie's coffin to be placed in the earth. Willie was kept inside, out of the weather, close to the patio door. Grammy had brought with her two sprigs of oregano from her herb garden to be placed with Willie. She grew it out back along with many other herbs. Willie would often get in the oregano and rub against it. He must have liked the smell, because he didn't bother much with the other herbs. He would frequent Granpa's garden too, walking through all that grew there, so much so that he became known as "The Great Hunter" since he would be looking for anything in there that moved. Sometimes he would emerge from the garden with dirt on his front paws and nose, signs of rooting around after whatever caught his attention. He also went after the skink that lived in the rotted base of a tree close to the their back patio. So the long sprigs of oregano were placed next to Willie as a reminder of his love for it. It would be evident that he had been in it because he wore its fresh odor as if it were perfume. The top of the coffin was then set into place. His Dad sealed it with duct tape as his Mom helped position the coffin. A large plastic bag was placed around the sealed coffin, and it too was sealed with tape. His Dad then carried him to the grave, with Mom, Grammy, Granpa and Herd close behind. The rain had tapered to a drizzle as his Dad stepped into the 26" deep grave and lowered Willie into place. Granpa picked up a spade full of mulch. His Dad, then Mom, Grammy and finally Granpa each took a handful and tossed it onto the coffin. Dad and Granpa filled the grave with wet earth as Mom and Grammy watched. The rain had picked up again, so his Dad thought it was best to put off reading the prayer until later, when the weather was not so bad. The tools were collected and everyone headed for the garage to dry off the rain, Willie now settled into his eternal bed of sleep. The rain would help the earth to set around him. By the following day, a thick layer of topsoil would be placed over it. The rose bed could then be prepared for the planting and Willie's rose bush would be brought to reside there. Granpa brought the car around from the side of the house and Grammy left with him to return home. Willie's Mom and Dad went into the house for the evening, still stunned from the day's tragedy. The house seemed emptier with Willie's absence. Even Herd felt the difference, as he was more subdued than usual. The house had always held more life and was a happy place. Now it was filled with sadness and despair, for it is doubtful that it will ever know again a little boy who would fill it with so much love, innocence and a yearning to live as it knew with Willie.