I lost Heidi just before Christmas to hip dysplasia. She was a rescue dog, animal control had picked her up and a fellow in Kingston who finds homes for shepherds knew we were looking for a dog. She was a little more hyper than other shepherds we had had, but over the years she mellowed out especially with our laid back lab, Ace. They were glued at the hip and of course, I always thought Ace being older would go first, but it wasn’t to be. Heidi was a loving, protective pet who made a big show of barking, but was really a pussy cat at heart. Ace has mourned since Heidi left as have I. Thurs he fell from his bed and couldn’t get up so I made another sad trip to the vet. He loved to be petted, to take his walks. He had the shiniest black coat like velvet, he was my therapy in the evenings petting him. Neither one was ever in to fetching or playing with balls, etc. Heidi minded better than Ace. Ace, too, was a rescue dog that had been hit by a car after being dumped. The vet put him back together and knew again we were looking for a dog. Never having had a lab, it was a new experience, but he was so mellow most of the time it was not a problem. They were my salvation when I lost my husband and there will always be a hole in my heart for my loved dogs.

Ace is the lab on the bench, Heidi is hiding behind the plant.

Liz H.