Brandy

Hubby and I had discussed getting another puppy. When we met, I had Krissi, a Lab/Golden Retriever/Collie mix and he had a Black Lab/Beagle mix. Soon I had to put my Krissi down. She was getting old and sick. I grew up with dogs. I was never without a dog.

When my youngest was two, Hubby's dog was outside on a hot June day. We just installed central air and it was not compatible with our water heater. We had to get a new one. The water heater guy replaced our old water heater. She chose to sleep under the big, shady truck. The man didn't expect to have a dog under his company truck and ran over her.

Two years later, we talked about getting another dog. Hubby saw an ad in the paper for free Lab/Golden Retriever puppies. We named her Baylee. She was kept outside a lot. Hubby wanted to slowly housebreak her. The kids and I took her for many walks. One day, two months after we got her, she disappeared shortly after Halloween that year. Her collar was still connected to the chain. We never found her.

But, another few months later, that Christmas, Hubby brought home Brandy, a Shetland Sheepdog. (A Sheltie, for short, though I don't know why it's not Shetlie, but I digress.) She was no bigger than my hand at six weeks.

She brought more laughter into our lives. She was funny. She barked at everything that moved. It was the herding instinct. She was protective and a bundle of nerves. We were her family and no one was supposed to get near us. If we had family or friends visiting us, it took a little while for her to get her guard down.

The rabbits and squirrels taunted her. She was chained up outside and couldn't chase them. We had her run around sometimes without the chain or leash to fetch frisbees and tennis balls.

She was a part of our family. She did not like to swim, but tolerated baths. Her coat was so beautiful. I couldn't wait till she was two years old for the coat to really fill in.

But one day, two years ago, she got loose and took the opportunity to chase that taunting squirrel into the street.

The man braked, but it was too late. He felt so bad. It all happened so fast. My oldest daughter scooped her up into her arms while Brandy convulsed and drew her last breath.

Brandy (a.k.a. Foxy Lady) can chase all the squirrels and rabbits she wants now, with a full coat.

It took another year and a half before we got another puppy, a Black Lab, now almost 11 months old.

We'll never forget you, Brandy. We'll make room in our hearts for new pets, but you'll never be forgotten.

November 2004 - April 12, 2006