We said farewell to Willy yesterday. He was 16 or 17 years old (we’ve never been sure). He died peacefully on our bed around 11:00 am. He’d been losing weight and getting a bit unsteady for a couple of weeks, but he didn’t seem unhappy. Then he stopped eating, and after a few days of increasing immobility he fell asleep for good.

Fritz and Chester both knew something was wrong. Fritz, who always regarded Willy as his buddy (and occasional playmate), often lay down with Willy to keep him company during his final hours.

We buried Willy, along with Callix’s ashes, in the little fenced-in area that we’ve always referred to as the country cemetery.