Danni 1992-2009
Ah, my Danni-Girl.
I used to call her my little lady because she would pick cucumbers and apples in the garden, then lay down and eat them all dainty-like between her front paws. And she hated it when other dogs would sniff at her butt. And she never pooed outside of her yard.
You could walk her off the leash though the wetlands and she would walk right beside you... Although there was that one time the ducks were just too much of a temptation and she took off through the water after them.
Silly girl.
And she always tried to be a lap dog... after all, the cats were allowed to curl up on our laps. She never did figure out that 95 lbs of golden retriever is a bit big for anyone's lap. I think she thought of herself as a cat. I suppose since the cats thought they were human, it was fine.
And she loved tomatos and strawberries. Rarely could I get a ripe strawberry from the garden because she would eat them first. And every spring tomato plants would grow in the dog yard.
We aren't dog-people, but didn't know that until Danni came. We'd never had a dog before. Probably never will again. Still she was special, and we loved her as one of the family.
She was also one of the only pets I've had who lived a full life.
I guess the vet said she had a very strong heart, which is why she was still alive at 17. Unfortunately, the rest of her body wasn't doing so well. She had bad arthritis. Her hearing was going as well as her sight. Mom said she slept all day, getting up only for food and to do her business. Even that was difficult for her. She had a skin rash that had become nearly intolerable. A month ago her back legs became paralyzed for a time. So it was decided to take her to the vet last Thursday to be let go.
I wish I could have seen her one last time. I wish I could have been there. I know she's here in spirit and she loves me. Even when I was gone for months at a time she never forgot me. Mom told me once that she never acted up except when I came around. LOL
But still.
I know it was for the best.
I'll always miss her.