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She's Gone & copy 2001-1998 by Ed Presnall All Rights Reserved As Published In Dog Days We lost a puppy this morning. We had seen it coming for a couple of months and knew it was going to happen. We had put it off as long as possible and had done everything that we knew how to avoid it, but that did not make it any easier. Her name was Mia and she was a year old this week. She and her littermates were the consummation of long years of planning and breeding. A wonderful litter that any breeder would be proud of. Of the eight puppies, three went to show, obedience or tracking homes and several became loving companion animals. We had kept the ones we felt were genetically the best and which would help carry our breeding program into the next millennium. Mia was always special to us. Smaller and frailer than her littermates, but with a bubbling personality and eagerness to please attitude that made you say "she's a keeper". We loved her and comforted her and did everything in our power to help her along, but today was the day we had to say good-bye. We spent the morning talking with a couple who only a month ago lost their dog, companion and friend to a lingering illness and cancer. It was hard to talk about as we too had been there and done that and it was not an enjoyable experience. As we talked, we held Mia and kept trying to tell ourselves, and her, that it would be all right. Deep inside we knew there would be a void. We would miss her ... but sometimes, whether you are a breeder or owner, you have to make those hard decisions and do what you know will be best for the puppy. I held her in my arms for the last time and received from her a final puppy lick as her way of saying thanks for the time she had with us. By noon it was over and she was gone. Now is not the time to be sad or second guessing our decision to let her go. We made the decision that was right for her. As the days turn into months and then years, we will remember her. We will sit and review the photos and videos of her at play and in the ring and reminisce of our loss. And with a tear in my eye, I will smile as I remember her good-bye kiss. Mia went to a wonderful home in the Dallas area where her new owners spoil her rotten. The perfect home for a perfect companion animal. Click here to read Mia's first letter back home. Graphics, Artwork, Photographs and Text are Copyrighted material of the author © 2003-1996 - Ed Presnall - All Rights Reserved The text, graphics and images presented at this website may not be saved, reproduced, copied, projected, used or altered in any way, alone or with any other image(s), by use of computer or other electronic means or any other method or means now or hereafter known, without specific permission and payment of a fee or arrangement thereof. Viewing of the text, graphics and images contained on this web site constitutes acceptance of the above terms which incorporate hereby Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code, and the Copyright Act of 1976.