Melba Toast was another rescue dog for our family. My daughter wanted a Shiba Inu but we had adopted an older one and had problems with her not getting along with our Border Collie. Melba was a mixed breed to be sure, although she was definitely part one of the Japanese breeds as she had a black tongue. Melba was at a high kill shelter in California so we needed to save her. She quickly became part of the family. Not as outwardly affectionate as our Border Collie, she was devoted and loving to her pack, and me in particular. She camped with me and my friends and family every summer and otherwise was a delightful blend of aloof independence and devotion. Sort of like a really sweet 40 lbs. cat. Like many rescuers, we had no idea how old she was when she came to us. We thought maybe about 4. She was more like 9 as it turns out. As a result, after 6 years with us she began to decline. Her hind legs were failing her. I often carried her around the house with me, including into the bath tub when she had an accident, which became more and more frequent, much to her dismay. Finally, with a very heavy heart, I took my dear girl, the first female dog I had ever had, for her last ride. My brave, teenage son, who always maintained that he didn't like Melba Toast, went with me. When she was gone we both sat and sobbed. The big tough guys were no match for losing my Melba Toast. She was one of a kind and will never be forgotten.