Nova: Goodbye.

She was a month old when I found her at the shelter. Tiny black body, with puppy blue eyes. She was so timid at first, and when I sat on the shelter floor to calm her, she curled up in my lap. That has been her favorite place ever since. Even 11 years later, arthritic legs and back, grunting when she tries to sit, she still crawls into my lap.

She did, until today, when our family decided to let her go. It was the right thing to do—she was in pain. But damn is it heartbreaking.

I couldn't even bring myself to go to the vet, so my wonderful husband took my mom there. My mom couldn't go inside, so my very wonderful husband, with love and tenderness, escorted Nova (our loyal protector and warrior, playmate and friend), to her last breath. He sat with her there as she fell asleep, taking with her a piece of all our hearts.

Goodbye Nova.