Three yrs ago today, Sept. 13, I unexpectedly lost my 12 year old German Shepherd, Olympia, to sepsis.Backtrack in time ————-Fifteen yrs ago, I and my six-month old German Shepherd, Czarina, drove from Chicago’s western suburbs to Michigan to pick up the little tyke, Olympia, from the breeder. On the way home, I drove with the windows closed since she wailed so loudly in her crate, I thought someone might report me to the ASPCA for animal cruelty.I pulled over at a rest stop, took her out of her crate, and she nestled into Czarina....
It’s been three years this month since I lost my beloved Czarina. No matter how many dogs we may have in our lives, there will always be that ONE who sings to your heart, who knows you better than you know yourself, and whose unflinching love and loyalty makes you wonder how you ever deserved an alter-ego so dear. I already had three pups, two Bostons & a Doberman, when Czarina came into my life. I like even numbers, so I needed a 4th pup. Working from home made it easy to care for the...
For many dog owners, there’s only one answer. Yes. But not so fast. It’s not so much a question of if, but when, if you want a healthy dog.In one of the Facebook groups that I belong to, a member asked the community if she should neuter her German Shepherd. It was amazing to me, as one who has always spayed and neutered my dogs, the number of commenters who replied ‘no’ and that they had no intention of doing so. And for those who neutered their dogs, they said they noticed no difference before...
Is there ever a time when you, in all good conscience and sleepless nights, know that giving up your dog is the best thing you can do for your dog and yourself?The short answer is yes. I did. Her name was Lexus. She went to a better home. But my decision still haunts me to this day.This is Lexus’ story.Beautiful LexusLexus was a female Doberman Pinscher. I adopted her as a puppy shortly after my 93-year-old mother, who had been living with me, passed away. I already had two Boston Terriers, but always loved Dobes...
From my pups, Thumper, Ophelia, Nabucco and Allegra, wishing you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.
Cancer and your dog – What you should know – What you can doCancer is not an easy topic to discuss, period.If you would rather watch my YouTube video, click on the video below. In my over 30 years of owning dogs, I’ve had/have Boston Terriers, Labs, Dobermans, and German Shepherds, but cancer has always struck my Bostons. I lost two Bostons to cancer, one from uterine cancer, and one from a brain glioma, and that one after years of having several bouts with Grade II mast cell tumors. A third Boston was felled by a...
When pet toys killNoel had just turned seven years old in October 2019. Given recent events, it seems like a lifetime ago, when this purebred snob went rescue at an adoptathon in my local PetSmart.I was still reeling from the loss of my Boston Terrier, Chipper, from brain cancer, when a friend and I spotted a litter of puppies, and I took the dive. His name was “Starry Night” at the time, but before I would adopt/not adopt, I needed approval from the boss, my German Shepherd Czarina. She sniffed him, looked at me as...
Slowly losing CzarinaOriginally published 12/25/19; updated on 7/7/2020What can you say when you are slowly losing your rock, who has been by your side for over 11-1/2 years. Words fail me at the moment, especially on this Christmas Day 2019, because I know that with her age and deteriorating condition, it will be her last, unless the good Lord intervenes.Czarina as a puppyShe came into my life as a puppy of nine weeks. After I brought her home and introductions to my Bostons, Chipper and Spunky were safely made, I put her behind a baby...
Slowly losing Chipper – What can you say when your best friend nears the end of his lifeI first met him when I picked him up at Reagan National one cold March Sunday in 2002.The breeder’s husband zipped open his carry-on bag to hand him to me, and in that instant, I fell in love with him. No matter how many pups you may own in your life, there’s always one who sings to your heart. For me, that always has been and always will be, my Chipper.Now, he’s nearing the end of his life....