Although I should have started my work day at least an hour ago I sit here at my computer and can’t shake the bad news I read this morning.  Bad news about a dog I’ve never met but feel as though I know because I’ve read and watched a big part of his life unfold before my eyes in blog posts and videos.  A sister.  A household move.  A wedding.  A lot of joy, happiness, running, sleeping, and craziness.  A lot of love.

Eco was is a Rhodesian Ridgeback of magnificent stature and grace.  His dad’s blog from Monday was brief and to the point.  The title of the post said it all but as I opened the post to read it I was hoping against hope it was not what I thought it was. But it was; Eko  passed away suddenly this weekend without a known cause.

As Kali and Kloe finished their breakfast and came to lay down at my feet I sat there a little stunned.  Holly came into the room and gave me a morning kiss as is our routine and must have felt some emptiness because she said, “is everything alright?”  I said no and told her that Eko had passed away.  I got choked up because saying it out loud made it real and I became emotional.  I told her how silly it was for me to act this way when I didn’t even know this dog.  But she knew it wasn’t silly and so did I.

I can imagine what Eko’s family is going through because I’ve gone through it myself with Bailey several years ago.  All dog parents know that the day will come when one of their beloved pups will pass.  But knowing doesn’t make that day any easier especially when one day your best friend is healthy and vibrant and the next he or she is gone forever without any immediate reasons why.

I hugged my girls a little tighter as I got out of my chair to prepare to take Kali for her walk.       But this post is not about me.  This post is about Eko and how much I will miss reading about him and watching his muscular frame and graceful athletics in the occasional and wonderful videos posted on the blog.  But then again, I guess this post is just a little bit about me because I needed write it in order to go on with my day.  Eko’s family will eventually get on with their “day” one of these days.  I hope that day comes soon for them.

R.I.P. Eko from Mike, Holly, Kali, and Kloe.