Some of you have known about our two dogs for as long as you’ve known my husband and I.

Our dogs, Bear and Spot, are litter mates. We’ve raised them since they were born. They are blue heeler/ black lab mix. They are both 10½ years old.

Bear passed away at home this morning in his sleep. We have a private company coming to transport him from our apartment to their facilities where they will cremate him and scatter his remains on a local farm.

The problem… Due to a snow storm they can’t help us until tomorrow morning. We have Bear in the coldest room in our apartment that happens to be my husband’s studio. I’m in here right now so I can be with him.

Jon did all the social work to get the help Bear needs. What he can’t handle is the physical aspect of all of this. He won’t even look in this room. I’ve handled the clean up to make sure Bear is resting in a clean and dry space wrapped in a blanket. He’s 70 lbs. It wasn’t easy. I couldn’t handle the social aspect because I’ve been a blubbering mess all day.

I’m coping but I’m crying. This is so hard. Any words of advice? This is the first pet death that I’ve ever witnessed or had to be responsible for.