We celebrated Maya's 9 month ampuversary this past weekend with a camping trip near a river.

Considering that it has now been 3 months since I was so sure she had reached The End that I brought her to be put down, it is amazing to me that she has reached this milestone.  Of course more important that the number of days or weeks that have gone by is the incredible quality of time that our family has been able to enjoy with her.  She has gone for her probable "one last swim" so many times now that I lost count months ago!  We have been amazed by her strength and will to enjoy every moment.  Unfortunately she seems to have started sliding down that slippery slope of not feeling well again.  A week before our camping trip she began falling alot and seemed generally weak.  While camping she perked up because she was so excited to get into the river but she needed a lift back to the campsite because she was just too tired to walk.  I am so glad that our family was able to enjoy such a special weekend with her but I am afraid that this recent decline may be her last.  She has been becoming less interested in eating (except for table scraps which of course are now fair game) and her breathing has become fast and mildly labored.  It is just so hard to know when the time has come to say goodbye.  I feel so lucky to have been granted so much "extra" time with her.  It is especially hard to know when the time has come since she experienced such incredible swings up and down with her health a few months ago- is it the real deal this time or just another set back that she may overcome?  I know its is not likely for her to experience another recovery like she did, but its wrong to not at least hope...   I guess I will just see what this week brings and keep reassuring her how much we love her and that when she has had enough of dealing with this disease that its ok to go to the rainbow bridge

Kathy and Maya