At the risk of sounding like a "Love Story" cliche, what can you say about a healthy, athletic, 5-year old dog that dies? That he was running and jumping and having a wonderful time playing with me in the yard after I got home from work on Tuesday night. That he then collapsed, making one final attempt to stand. That by the time I realized that something wasn't right, and had covered the 10 feet that separated us, he was gone. Just that quick.

I managed to carry him inside and remembered to clear his airway, and started CPR for 20+ minutes. There was never any pulse or hint of a heartbeat- he was just gone. No chance to get him to the vet, no illness, disease or injury. Just dead.

Everyone who has ever lost a pet knows the pain in my heart.