Labs
We've Loved and Lost
Patsy
Patsy came to us at age 6 in 2005. After sitting on the floor with us at Foster Mom’s, she eagerly bounded out of the house for the car. Ever after that, she was always eager to get into the car.
Patsy seemed to love everyone. Donna noted one exception. One time a stranger came to the alley fence in the back yard; Patsy gave a single loud warning bark and then all of her bristle summer hairs stood straight up on her back. Until that time we had wondered if she would be protective.
Patsy loved parties—birthday (hers or someone else’s), Christmas, Thanksgiving. There was always something interesting for the nose. She loved to be with us, and then at some point in the evening, she would wander off to her own bed for the night.
Patsy loved the “Lake” where there were lots of smells, “frogin” and “stick.” Launching off the pier for the orange, knobby, easy to carry plastic stick was a particular delight. The action pictures from her run and swim are self explanatory.
Then suddenly a dog who loved food became very picky. Almost nothing tasted good to her anymore. X-rays and ultrasound divulged a tumor either in or on her digestive tract plus the pancreas was inflamed. Medication and bland diet, including chicken and rice (which was acceptable for a while) seemed to turn the tide. She then had a relapse, from which she would not return.
Patsy was not yet 9, but still acted like a two year old, and we though we would have her “for ever,” certainly another five years. It hurts terribly to lose her, but we would not have traded the time we did have with her. 