I had to ask. I had to.

I slammed the door to my apartment shut, striding into the hallway. “I’m home, kids!” I shouted out to my family, wiping my feet on the welcome home mat.

Rachel and Corey, my four year old and seven year old, came running down the hallway to greet me. “Mommy!” They shouted. I was happy to see them. I had had a bad day, and they always cheer me up.

“Hi, honey.” Jason hugged me tightly, giving me a quick kiss.

“Hi, sweeties.” I smiled at Jason and looked down at my babies. They grinned up at me. “You all hungry for dinner?”

“Yeah, yeah, dinn! Dinna!” Rachel shouted excitedly. I laughed.

Time to ask.

“Honey, where’s Lilly?” I whispered.

My beautiful dog just lay there, a sad look on her face. I frowned, and lay down next to her.

I put my face up near her muzzle and kissed it. She licked me tentatively, and then lay her head back down, her eyes closing slowly.

Oh, no.