Many people are certain about the decisions they make with animals, I am not. Each one is different, complex. Many times this week I felt I was causing Ma to suffer, she was near death several times. We decided to press on, give life a better chance, and it was, in this case, a good decision. It could so easily have been a different one. A wonderful week for me full of life, meaning and challenge – this is why I am here, this is the life I chose.

Maria is struggling with the emotions of the week, the tension and the suffering she saw. It was not cute, not sweet, it was ugly and smelly and painful. This morning, it was joyous. It is life. I am grateful for it.