My Little Molly......

It was June of 1998 that my wife suggested we get a dog. A year before her niece became the proud owner of a beagle and my wife became hooked on beagles. I said to her, if you get a beagle who is going to take her out late at night when the dog has to go? She said I will! Of course it turned out the other way around but in July we were off to New Boston,NH to pick out our new member of the family. That first year we took her camping in New Hampshire and Maine and later when we bought a boat in 2001 we brought her along for rides along the Annisquam River and the harbor. Over the years she became my best friend always getting excited when I said "lets go for a ride in the truck". She loved to go to a beach and has visited every beach on Cape Ann. This may sound strange but we actually could read each others mind. I guess that happens when you become attached as we have. Last month we noticed she wasn't herself and her stomach appeared bloated. A trip to the vet revealed her liver was being attacked by cancer. A few weeks went by and she regained her spunk as the swelling decreased. But last Thursday the swelling increased again. Another trip to the vet to drain her stomach brought relief and an appetite but the reprieve only lasted a day. As I type this she lay comfortably on the couch but I know little can be done. I know it's time to say goodbye, it's never easy but she brought us a lifetime of joy to reflect on and a friendship I'll never forget! Thanks Molly for being such a good friend!