Pillars of Strength ... for K and KB

This Valentine's Day, as every day, I woke up to two dogs who, as soon as my voice telling them good morning roused them from sleep, popped their heads out from under the blankets, and commenced wagging their tails so furiously that the comforter seemed, for a moment, possessed.  After tousling Tucker's already tousled head, kissing Phoebe on her little black nose and letting them both out into the yard to do their morning sniff-around, I went back inside to wish the three cats good morning and get breakfast for everyone.  Our routine is the same every morning (and evening for that matter), but far from finding it boring or tedious, I actually find deep satisfaction and contentment, even joy, in these seemingly mundane rituals, and I know I'm not the only one.  The steadfast companionship of our animal companions is a gift beyond price to those who love them, and never is this gift more prized than when circumstances of advancing age or the diagnosis of some fearsome disease threatens to take our beloved companions from us.

Today we celebrate the cherished bond between KB and her Labrador, K, of Romping and Rolling in the Rockies and the battle they are currently waging against K's recent osteosarcoma diagnosis.  I only discovered KB's blog recently, but I quickly became a convert.  KB's photos are incredible - in fact, I lack words - but there is more to it than that.  Each photo tells a powerful story to me, and the story is one of love and courage, and the unshakable bond between human and canine.  It's a universal story to be sure, but it is also, when seen through KB's lens, a deeply personal one.  

Obviously, we wish both K and KB the best, and are sending all possible good thoughts and prayers their way, in hopes that this terrible disease K is currently battling, with KB ever by her side of course, will be vanquished, and K restored to full health.  Won't you stop by their blog today and offer your good wishes, too?

KB and K, if you read this today, please know that you are in our thoughts.