Dr. Annie came to our room, met our family and we sat, talked...but Harry and I already knowing what we had decided...were relieved to hear Dr. Annie confirm our decision. As soon as she saw her breathing...and she was not even breathing as heavy as back back in Phoenix...she told us it was absolutely the right decision. Still amazes me her heart and all she pressed on to do.
My Sophia was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo strong for us. On our way to the beach...my girl stood the entire ride, in the car, which she hasn't done or was able to do for months...her head, outside the window...looking at her town, smelling the smells of the Pacific. We arrived at the Lifeguard station for drop off...Chizzy & Jett popping out...and mom carrying her girl to the water...tears streaming, as 
people just stopped and watched, as it was obvious what we were going to do.
Dr. Annie got our blanket all set up, as we took our last walk...down the beach that she loved so much. When we got back to the blanket...she laid down...we started to prepare her and then...NOPE...not ready...one more walk, mom...I want one more walk and so we did. Met more people, as I've told you before...she is/was our little socialite.
Again, we made it back to the blanket...she found her spot and laid down flat, with her eyes looking northwest to the water. I have had the privilege of putting all my girls to rest, but this was different...this was a moment that cannot be depicted by any words. I laid with my body in the sand...had my right arm under her beautiful, sleek neck, with my left hand stroking her.
I simply talked of our love, how she made our lives all complete...how there would be no more pain...I talked and talked of how much we loved her, that it was going to be o.k., that we released her to make her journey to a place where she would see family...Chloe...how Chloe chose her for us...how she was the only one who saved us from our pain and made our lives happy again.
Harry had the boys...people walking by and other dogs took their minds off the situation...
I felt her leave her body.
We stayed with her, walked the boys and brought them back to smell and understand their "Big Sister" was not coming home.
You are a gift...never doubt that you have not found your calling. One day...I will not be sad...I will have another
girl... What you do...you have not only been Sophia's angel to give her, her wings...but ours as well. She was and still is...forever my/our "heart" dog. Sounds so very cliché and I know everyone says the same, but...she was special, she was sent by our beloved "Chloe" and she ended up being...well, our life, our world...how I miss her. Thank you, thank you, thank you... From the very beginning, our conversations through our e-mails, before we laid my girl to rest...I knew that "you" were the "one person" to make "her" story complete...her ending, her send off...it was as perfect as anything could have been. For that I can never repay you, can never thank you enough and her goodbye...so beautiful...it does comfort both Harry and myself...the sunset, her beach...the peace. You are one of God's Angels on Earth...you gave my girl flight. Love you and Todd so...know that...thank you.
Brenda and Harry Born
Arizona
Added 12/2/13:
I miss you...every day. Some days filled with laughing and smiles...others filled with "streaming eyes". Thought when we planned "your journey" home...I was prepared...and for the most part, I was. You, on your beach...the beautiful sunset...it's something that cannot be described and you let me know you were ready. The only part I didn't plan for...the part of coming home without you. I miss you, Sophia...how I miss you. ps...I did your Christmas table yesterday...somehow makes me feel closer to you...Love, mom.
