Molly

Today I am writing with a heavy heart as we grieve the loss of our dear family pet.
Molly was a beautiful black lab. She came to us about five years ago as a rescue. She was vivacious and a little haywire. She would run if let off leash, chase cars and even jump up on the drivers door if not caught in time. She loved deer and rabbits and would bound off through the woods in pursuit. Oddly though she was not much of a retriever, would rarely fetch a ball or stick. She was also not a great water dog, two traits that her breed is known for, she was none to keen. As the months went by Molly began to settle in to her new home, she became better behaved off leash, and would come when beckoned. She became a great companion to our other dog Milo, and the family was complete.
One summer day we were in the midst of demolishing the old kitchen in our home. Molly was not a fan of loud noises and decided she would exit through the open living room window, an eleven foot drop. I am certain she was also provoked by the deer grazing across the street. Amazingly she landed on her feet, but in doing so shattered many of the bones in her right front paw when it buckled under her weight. Molly had to be locked up in her kennel for four months as the bones healed, she would favour that paw for the rest of her life, but her spirit would stay strong until her last breath.
She was a running partner for my wife and daughter, a horse for my son and for me she was a true friend. She loved to play fight and was always gentle with kids. She was always up for a good snuggle, and made a great pillow on a cold winter night. She gave us her all and asked for nothing in return but two meals a day, clean water and a comfortable bed. When she layed at your feet you best rub her belly and scratch behind her ears, that was good enough to keep her content.
As far as we know Molly would have been turning eleven this summer. She started having mobility issues in the last couple of months, would tire quickly and struggled to make it up the stairs. She  could no longer make it through the night without peeing in the house. We just chalked it up to old age and thought nothing of it. Then she had a serious seizure on Saturday afternoon, followed by more in the evening and Sunday morning. I took her to the animal hospital on Monday. There she received some tests and she spent the day with the staff, who fell in love with her happy demeanor and caring eyes. The test came back positive for type 1 diabetes, a disease not uncommon among senior dogs, but when paired with seizures and crippling mobility issues treatment would cause no great improvement in quality of life. The heartbreaking decision to euthanize her was made by the family.
Though Molly was with us for a relatively short time her impact was profound. She was there when my son took his first steps and has followed him with a watchful eye ever since. She has stayed with my daughter through thick and thin, every evening at her bedside the two of them dreaming away in peace and harmony. She has been a constant in our lives that are filled with so many variables. It is hard to imagine our home without her. She will be missed.
If there is any lesson we can learn as a family from our friend Molly it is to cherish life and all of life's wonders. Take the time every day to smell the air, just breathe and be happy that you are alive. Love each other with all of your heart and never forget who your true friends are. I know we will never forget her.
Rest in peace pup. We love you.