So Long, Twinkle Toes

This morning we lost our dog, Linda. We came home from vacation and she wasn't doing very well. The vet thought it might be a urinary tract infection and wanted to see her this morning. We put her to bed last night and when we checked on her this morning, she was gone. She looked like she was still sleeping, so we know she went peacefully. Linda was 14 years old, much older than what's normally expected from Dalmatians. We knew the time was drawing near as she had slowed down a lot over the last few months. We buried her this morning with her little pink jacket. She was a wonderful dog; sweet, loved to be cuddled and always happy to see you. We loved watching her walk up and down the road with her high stepping and the tinkle of her dog tags (hence 'Twinkle Toes'). She loved to sleep, eat chicken poop and chase the cat. She couldn't hear very well and I would often times have to yell in order for her to hear me; but as soon as you took the cheese out of the fridge, she was right there. I think that's called selective hearing...

I was joking with Art that Buddy wouldn't what to do now that Linda wasn't there to keep him clean. It would gross me out how she would lick his boy parts, but she was just being a mother. Art said to Buddy this morning, "You are going to be so spoiled now!" and I said "What do you mean, 'spoiled'? He already is!" Linda would never eat just plain dog food. We always mix in leftovers or, if there were none, make her some eggs. I couldn't believe that she wouldn't eat plain dog food, but she would eat chicken poop like it was candy. I'm sure she's up there eating pancakes and cheese to her hearts desire.

We'll miss you, Linda Lou.