Saying goodbye is so hard

Tuesday we had to say goodbye to our sweet Basset Hound, Barni.  It came out of the blue and we had no idea that she was ill.  When Andy returned home from work on Tuesday, Barni, who never ever ever resists eating, wouldn't eat and was visibly struggling to breathe.  He rushed her to Avery Ranch Animal Hospital, and they said that she was very sick and that we needed to take her to the hospital.  Andy took her and my parents came to babysit and my mom went with me to the hospital.  It was heartbreaking to see her with a oxygen line stapled to her head.  She was as loving as always and just wanted to kiss us and wag her tail.  We asked for some treats and the kind vet gave us an entire buffet of what would normally be Barni's heaven- cheese, peanut butter, canned dog food.  She wouldn't eat a bit.  Andy and I rubbed her back as the veterinarian administered the dose that would just make her go to sleep and the overdose shortly thereafter to stop her heart.  I know it was the right thing to do; there is no doubt about it.  Still, I just wish that I could have one more day.  I would have stayed home from work, played ball with her, and taken her to see her best friend (my dad.)  I didn't have that gift, though, but I was allowed to let my pet die with dignity.  Meagan and Peanut are taking it hard.  Natalie is still young and very resilient, but Meagan is more emotional.  She misses her dog.  They had a special connection.  Each morning, as she walked down the stairs, Meagan would say hello to Barni and go to the kitchen to throw her some treats.  Peanut, meanwhile, has been desperately looking for her friend.  She is very sad and won't be left alone.  We will have to get her a friend soon, but don't want to rush.  Right now, we are just missing Barni.
A post with some recent photos:
http://jayhawkgirls.blogspot.com/2012/03/beautiful-spring-day-for-baseball.html