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Heidi, Dusty

Heidi was a beautiful dobermann. She was one year old, and was a friendly outgoing dog. Her family recently had to move to a smaller home, and did not have to space for such a large pet. She was going to the pound.
When we found out, we asked them to please let us take a chance with her. We already had a dog Dusty was a four year old Beagle. They hit it off right away, and Heidi became a member of our family. She was great with out three kids, and loved to go for walks, and ride in the car.
We had a van, and her seat was the back bench. She went everywhere with us. The only times she ever would cause a problem was when we drove by a McDonalds. When we would stop, she always got two burgers, so she recognized the golden arches.
she was a first class cuddler, and still thought she was a lap dog, even though she weighed over seventy pounds. Her place in the house, was the rug in front of the fireplace. She knew that was where she belonged. Our cat, whom Heidi would chase when outside, would walk around the rug , when Heidi was on it and tease her, because she knew that the dog couldn’t leave the rug.
Heidi loved to run. Our favorite place to go was the wash down behind our home. When it was dry, it was a perfect place for her to cut loose and have fun.
It was at the wash, that I first noticed that something was wrong. She had developed a slight limp. I thought it was something minor, and ignored it at fiest, but it became more pronounced as time went on. Our vet was baffeled .
He said it was probably a sprain.
About two weeks before Christmas 1996 I noticed that she was having dificulty getting up. We went back to the vet, and he sent us to a specialist.
Our new vet said that heidi was suffering from Drop Paw, a disease similar to MD in humans. We tried all sorts of therapy, but she continued to rapidly go down hill.
Two days after Christmas the vet came over. Heidi could no longer stand, or eat. She couldn’t control her ability to go potty anymore. She was distressed, but in little pain.
All the family was there, to hold her and say goodbye. All except my oldest son Ben. He couldn’tstand saying goodbye, and stayed in his room and cried. There were tears all around as I held Heidi in my arms, while the vet put her down.
It was like loosing a child.
Heidi was buried next to the garden, where she used to love to sit and watch the neighborhood kids play.
She is badly missed. I took comfort in the fact that she was no long suffering. I do believe that animals have souls, and know that someday we will be reunited with her in a happier place. A place where I am sure she is out running and having fun.

Brian from AZ

heidi