A week ago tonight, actually right about this time…  Ben had an enormous seizure.

Ben in “Heaven” — summer of 2010 in an out of the way campground by a lake in NW Montana. We were all RV Hounds that year.

It took 5 or 8 minutes for the the main part of his agony to pass, leaving him blind and very confused. It left him shivering and shaking uncontrollably. He was unable to walk.  I phoned the vet, we rushed to meet. On the table in the clinic Ben recognized my voice and touch, he could also scent me and so I know: he knew he was in hospital. Every few moments he’d complain and thrash, but some caresses and words he’d calm down. But… He was ready to go. A shot of morphine to calm him — and we had a few nice moments of peace. Soft words and he’d groan…