4/9/06: Reeses Buttercup is one special little girl. Celia and Talia got her out of a shelter in Georgia on Tuesday for me. She was spayed, had her vaccinations and was checked for heartworms. Unfortunately, she had heartworms. I made the wrong decision about having her spayed before treating the heartworms. Buttercup came home to Celia and Talia's house Tuesday afternoon and seemed to be doing well for the next couple days, but then she stopped eating. We weren't too concerned about that because a lot of dogs don't eat when they first go into a new home.

Saturday morning Buttercup got very sick and passed away before Celia and Talia could get her to the doctor. We think she had a heart attack, probably caused from the heartworms. We all feel really bad, but I especially because I'm the one who made the decision to have her spayed. I will never do that again. This has been a hard lesson to learn.

Buttercup was creamated and is sitting next to Celia and Talia's very first pei. Celia asked that I post this poem in memory of sweet Reeses Buttercup.

If grief for grief can touch thee,
If answering woe for woe,
If any ruth can melt thee,
Come to me now!

I cannot be more lonely,
More drear I cannot be!
My worn heart throbs so wildly
'Twill break for thee.

And when the world despises,
When heaven repels my prayer,
Will not mine angel comfort?
Mine idol hear?

Yes, by the tears I've poured thee,
By all my hours of pain,
O I shall surely win thee,
Beloved, again!

Emily Bronte