Getting Ready to Leave Bismarck

I think that we have finally finished our list of things to do while we are in Bismarck. As usual the month has flown by in a hurry. We have had a good time enjoying our kids and grandkids here as well as meeting a few interesting people here in the campground. Monday we will head west into Montana for a week or so and then turn south again. Our daughter from here and her family are loading their motorhome to join us on our Montana venture.

My son Brendan had to have his dog, Duke, put to sleep this afternoon. I think that Brendan was about ten years old or so when he got Duke. He has been a great companion for Brendan and Brendan has been a great dog owner. He patiently trained Duke and has always given him everything he needed and more. Duke loved to go on long walks and Brendan was right there with him. Except for a couple of short periods when Duke had to live with other family members while Brendan was living where he couldn't keep a dog they have been inseparable. Unfortunately Duke had reached the point where he was in pain and required more and more pain medication to help control it. He couldn't walk very far and was very restless and discontented. Brendan knew his dog best and was strong and made the hard decision. He held him until the end and we buried him in the corner of his sister's yard. Duke couldn't have had a better owner and Brendan couldn't have had a better dog. He took a little bet of all of our hearts with him.