Jacques began to truly slip away from us this week and yesterday afternoon he was sedated in an effort to keep him comfortable until we could see a vet today. Last night the children and I discussed the best way for Jacques' to pass away and it was decided that I would speak with the vet today with a view to finding a way to let him die in his home, provided we could keep him from suffering. We all had our moment to say goodbye to Jacques last night and, when Mark returned from New York at around 9:30 Jacques roused himself from his sleepy state for one last expression of love to his Daddy by lifting his head in the direction of
Daddy's voice and scent and giving a huge wag of his tail. Late in the evening Maggie took her turn when she removed the blanket that was covering Jacques, made a nest of it and curled up next to him, bum-to-bum, where they slept together until bedtime. This morning he
took his last steps before he gently lay down on the floor with his head in Celine's lap reserving, for his baby girl, the last wonderful wag of his tail. 

After everyone had gone for the day Jacques and I spent a short hour resting on the day bed -- his favorite place. He rested on my chhest and I talked to him at length and stroked him gently. Just before ten o'clock the vet called me to discuss the situation but, after listening
to my description of Jacques condition and to the way in which the children and I and later Mark had agreed to handle the situation she strongly counseled me to bring him to her to be put to sleep. 

Jacque, like me, I believe, could not bare to be parted from his home at that moment of his passing and a few minutes after my talk with the vet he passed away in m y arms.

My heart is breaking at the loss of the gentle teddy bear sloth that was my Jacques bear.