Only one thing to say

I have been in Slovenia for a year.  The snow was on the mountains when I arrived and last week it came back again.  I have a fire lit and it gives the room some life.

Of all the things that have happened since last time I wrote, there is only one thing that is important.  A month ago, on October 22nd, my beloved Tyson died.

He stopped eating for a few days and I took him to the vet.  His kidneys were failing and after 2 days of treatment he was sick enough to be put down.  I gave him one last walk but it wasn't a walk in the mountains, just up and down the road outside the vets.  And then we went back in and my best friend was gone.

He was born under my bed on the Greek island of Corfu 13 years ago and when you have a creature around for that long, relying on you and always being there, his passing leaves a large empty space in life.  He was a good dog, and I loved him.  People tell me he had a good life.  He travelled more than most people, living in Greece, France, America and ending his days in the Alps.  I hope he had a good life.  He deserved it.

I haven't been able to write this post.  I've put it off.  But life goes on, with or without the things we love.

I shan't leave the next post so long.  I'll get my swing back, but for now, wish my friend well on the next great adventure.