It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Bear has lost his fight
with juvenile lymphoma.  We had to help him to the Bridge early this
morning.  During his last few days he became increasingly weak, and
progressively higher doses of prednisone did little to make him more
comfortable.  He never gave up though, and continued eating his chicken
gravy and kept trying to drag himself to the litter box until the end.
 
It was only two weeks ago that we knew anything was wrong.  The disease
progressed that quickly.  After Bear passed, his vet found that a tumor
in his chest, a small mass only two weeks ago, had grown to occupy about
80% of his chest cavity.
 
The poor little guy wasn't even a year old yet.  He occupied our home and
hearts for a little under eight very short months.  No longer do we have
to carefully guard our shoes - or our bananas - but we wish with all our
hears that we did.  Little Bear will be sorely missed.
 
We want to thank again everyone who sent cards, kind thoughts,
encouragement and support.  It was greatly appreciated during this
difficult time.
 
Sandee, please look out for our little Bear.  He doesn't know anybody at
the Bridge, so he might be a little lost at first.  Please introduce him
to Giselle, a little striped DEW who died of the same horrible disease at
about the same age.  I hope they will become good friends.
 
Roger, Karen and the Six Sneaker Snatchers
Missing Bear, the original Sneaker Snatcher
[Posted in FML issue 3876]