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| A beautiful soul. |
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| Dog and girl. |
There was one detail I left out in
my previous post about looking after Cutie and Sweetheart: it was my last time taking care of that dear, sweet, wonderful German Shepherd.
Sweetheart has spread her wings and flown away. She's moved to Texas with her family and I will never see her again.
I'm really going to miss her.
Our relationship only lasted a year, from July of 2012 to July of 2013, but that was ample time for Sweetheart to steal my heart. She is abundant joy in a German Shepherd package, a dog who is eager to fall in love with everyone she meets, a spirit who remains suffused with light even as her body weakens, a dog who relishes playing with her toys, enthusiastically licking anyone and everyone, riding in the car, taking care of her family (and her dog-sitter), and telling all the world with her deep, booming bark that there is a German Shepherd on the other side of the door who can't wait to come barreling out to make a new friend.
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| Sweetheart is always cheerful |
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| One of her favorite things is to play with as many toys at the same time as possible! |
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| She is capable of a great deal of silliness! |
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| She can do the "alert German Shepherd" thing, too... |
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| ...but she has nothing but love for the world. |
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| She is always smiling... |
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| ...and has beautiful brown eyes. |
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| I always felt honored when she looked at me with her eyes full of love. |
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| Sweetheart is old now, though. |
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| Eleven is an advanced age for a dog her size and she has been increasingly hampered by her arthritis and the withering of her back legs. |
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| I don't know if she has much more time left in this world, but she's brought so much joy to her family... |
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| ...and to me, too. |
As I was leaving that last time, Sweetheart saw me grab my camera bag and was immediately ready to go along with me. She knew good things happened when I had my car keys and my camera in hand and didn't want to miss out on anything fun! I had a lump in my throat as I drove away without her, knowing that she'd been ready to come with me. Sweetheart loved everyone, but I like to think I occupied a special space in her heart, just as she occupies a special place in mine.
I love you, sweetie. Treat her well, Texas!
*** I'm saddened to report that I received the news that Sweetheart passed away in the final days of 2013. The world has lost a bright and beautiful spirit; I feel honored to have known her. ***
You can read more about my exploits with Sweetheart in these blogposts from July of 2012, August of 2012, January of 2013, March of 2013, and May of 2013.
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