Saying Goodbye to Annie

The last week of March 2006 I went to Texas to visit my Grandparents for a week.

A few weeks earlier a sweet black and white Boston Terrier showed up in their yard. Someone had found her wandering the neighborhood and mistook her for Grandma's dog, Josie.  Grandma took her to the vet to have her checked for a microchip, but there was none. They called the humane society and other vets in town to see if anyone reported her missing.  She was obviously someone's pet, not just a stray. She had been well cared for, even had her teeth cleaned recently.  But they found no owners.  She was lost, starving and scrawny, but so loving and friendly. I felt pity on her and named her Annie, as in a Little Orphan.  And after a few days of sweet-talking Manny, I convinced him to let me bring her home to Indiana. Annie had already found her way into our hearts, and our family. She made the 12 hour drive in the back seat, curled up next to me. And when Manny met her he fell in love.

She really really is a good dog. She never chews on things or tears things up. She's well behaved, especially with the boys - so gentle. And she LOVES her babies. Those ratty, stinky, babies who she arranges just right in her bed and sleeps with in her mouth.

Our sweet dog-daughter had to be put to sleep today. 10-11-12.

She was deaf, blind, had no sense of smell, her back legs were becoming crippled, and most recently we found out she has heart worms. She was old and suffering. There was nothing else we could do.

This morning the boys had a chance to say goodbye to her before Manny took her to the vet. It was a sad farewell.  Zeke especially adores her, but thankfully he will not remember. He has a real affinity for animals and I know someday he will be the one to request another dog.

We are not ready to replace our baby yet. Losing one is hard enough. I don't want to do that again any time soon.  Our Annie was the best pet we could have asked for.  We miss her already. :(