Our sweet puppy passed away today. The arthritis in her rear leg had become so bad that she could barely walk. Though she must have been experiencing such pain and frustration she never lost her sweet disposition. When we saw how she struggled just to walk across the room we realized it was time to have her put down. We called our vet, Dr. Tanabe, who came over right away. Dr. Tanabe tended to Taffy with great respect and affection. As he gave her the injection that put her to sleep, Brad and I cradled her in our arms. Time of death was 9:52 a.m. Dr. Tanabe made arrangements for a cremation service to come and pick Taffy up. Around 11 a.m. a gentleman from Saint Springs arrived at our door with a cardboard coffin and flowers for Taffy. After Taffy was placed in the coffin and the lid closed he put his hands together as if in prayer and bowed deeply over the coffin. He said he would be back at 6 p.m.

Precisely at 6 p.m. our doorbell rang. It was the gentleman from Saint Springs. He was accompanied by another man. Both of them wore suits and ties. They came to bring us Taffy's remains. Taffy's ashes were placed in a plain white ceramic jar with a sealed lid. The jar is enclosed in a fabric bag of white material with a pattern of silver threads. The bag is drawn shut with an elaborate bow of silken white cord. We are amazed at how big and heavy the jar is.

Though we are still reeling from the loss of Taffy we can't stop to marvel at the grace and ceremony with which the Japanese handled this sad occasion.