Preston's Passing

I mentioned this before but I was waiting for some better photos. Preston passed away on Saturday. He had kidney failure. We all saw it coming. He was slowly becoming less agile. I wanted to dedicate this post to him and his memory. He was close with my dad and step mom. I offered my condolences to them and this is what my dad wrote in response:

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for you message. I really appreciate your words of sympathy. I believe that everyone who knew
Preston, knew that he was a rare individual that touched the heart. I cannot look in a room or outside
on the deck or in the yard without thinking that he is there. It will take some time to get over it. He was
unique and special in the truest sense. As he became old and weak and more dependent on me, so I
became more dependent on him. His needs became my close concerns while his smile and affectionate
eyes became my reward.

At the Vet, we stayed with Preston to pet and hold him as he went to sleep. Then we wrapped him in a
blanket and brought him home. Sean and I excavated a grave in the woods about 4 feet deep, in a spot
that he often went to investigate and would come out covered with sticky seeds. Then Sveta, Sean and I
took his body to this spot on the wooden sled that he previously pulled. We carefully lowered him and
spoke about his virtues, said a prayer, and covered him with soil and a top layer of snow. Sveta and I
lit a candle and stayed for a while. Then, as it became dark, we went home.

There are more pictures of him if you interested:
Hagan Family Album