Our beloved Schatze

Back on a cold day in early 1994, my sister in law and I went "shopping" for a dog at SPCA and animal control. Michael and I weren't able to have children of our own, so I decided I wanted a dog. He said "no" - I said "you're crazy." And I had always told my Mom that I was wasn't going to have kids - I wanted puppies. Well, my wish came true. I found this darling little "who done it" puppy (just 10 weeks old) at animal control. One wouldn't think to find such a young pup at animal control - but through a mistake in the waiting list for this little beauty, I got the phone call and rushed to pick her up. Back at home, I pulled in the garage to see my husband standing at the door and all I could say was "Congratulations - it's a girl!"

Schatze become the love of our lives. She became my best little four legged friend yet learned very quick to listen and obey "Alpha" Mike. "Mom" was always her playmate and best friend. She quickly wrapped herself around both of our little fingers and we all became inseparable. She was such a beloved member of our family and so very good natured - open to any new friends (including cats, rabbits, opossum - oh, and humans too). Funny little thing she was though, she could never learn to play "fetch." She would soon accompany us on countless camping trips to Hatteras although she hated the water. She would try and follow Mike into the water when he took to his surfboard...only to find out that it's pretty wet (and deep) out there! She just loved being with us regardless of the heat, the sand, the water, or having to sleep in a tent on the floor (except during thunderstorms - then she got the air mattress).

She was our best friend and our first and only child, if you will. In August, 2007 our little girl underwent an emergency surgery to remove a very invasive, cancerous tumor from her ribs. We didn't know at that time if she'd even make it through the surgery. After all, she was almost 14 years old! Pretty good for a "big dog" at 50 plus pounds - so experience tells us. We brought her home to let her tell us when it was time - when she was too tired to go on. Our little girl was a trooper and gave us many, many more months of companionship, love and happiness.

She turned 15 in January and we could tell by the look in her eye that she was tired, unhappy and uncomfortable. She had trouble negotiating the stairs in and out of the house, couldn't see or hear well, had little quality of life and wasn't eating very much. So we did the last final thing we could do for her - and let her go.

And we miss her very much.