As Timmy continued to fall ill and his team of specialists at UCLA couldn't diagnose him, I began to yearn so deeply for him to have a dog of his own.
One Saturday a few months later, when Timmy's respite nurse was over, she was looking through the Orange County Register and talking about wanting to buy another Irish Setter. I was excited for her, and let her in on my personal wish for Timmy. I had heard Shih Tzu's were excellent family dogs and behaved wonderfully with children.
After a brief conversation, we found ourselves excitedly looking for a Shih Tzu. Within the hour, we were piling kiddies and medical equipment into the car and driving to the home of our chosen breeder!
Immediately, a bond developed between the tiny, chubby puppy and Timmy, and for the next year-and-a-half, they dearly enjoyed life together. It was one of the most cherished decisions I ever made for my child.
=====================
Three weeks after Timmy died, I stumbled upon Taffy licking a Grant's Ant Stake which had been mistakingly not picked up (it contains arsenic). Immediately, I scooped her up into my arms, called the vet and I was told to get her in. By the time I arrived at the vet, only 15-20 minutes later, Taf was already lethargic, throwing up and pouring loose stool. The gravity of the situation was daunting. I began crying hysterically, "Please don't let her die! She's my son's dog! ...I just lost my son!"
Even after sustaining Tim's final three week hospital stay, and the cost of a funeral, gravesite and burial, money was not a factor when it came to Taf. I just couldn't lose his dog, as well. After an involved overnight stay in the animal hospital, medications, IV fluids and a hefty bill, I was so incredibly grateful to bring her home. It was like getting a small piece of Timmy back.
Through the years of watching young Taf grow, mature and age, every time I pet her coat, fed her, held her, hugged her, kissed her, played with her, a very tender and raw part of my heart emerged. This last pup-to-be-picked, the total runt-of-the-litter, loved and adored Timmy. This sweet and loyal dog gave him companionship, warmth and love as he slowly degenerated and died the last year-and-a-half of the span of eight long and painful years.
In the last couple hours of her life as she lay dying, I was totally brought back to Timmy. In the seconds after her passing as the realization hit, I became unconsolable. It felt real... the last remaining bits of Timmy on earth had passed. If dogs *do* go to heaven, she had joined her young, blond little master in eternity.
====================
Memories:
Throughout Taffy's life, she was fearless any time she saw an owner walking his dog past our home. She barked all ferocious-like as she pounced hard against the screen door until it popped opened. Then she'd sprint off barking after the unassuming dog and owner. As soon as she was within range though, she'd about-face, tuck her tail down low, and take off running home completely stunned and frightened.
There was a wonderfully sweet and understanding Marine who walked his totally built ChowChow past our house several times each week. Each time Taffy saw that dog, she did the same thing; as much as I tried, I couldn't break her from it! The kiddies and I would laugh like crazy, try to scold her, and warn her, "Taf, you'd be a *snack* for that dog!" and that's how the kiddies nicknamed her Taffy Snack. :D
Ironically, it was a totally different story when visitors came to the door. She remained totally calm and yummy sweet, and after the kids, friends or neighbors left, we'd tell her, "Wow, what a watch dog, Taf! If someone were to break in, you'd show 'em the *good stuff*!"
One Saturday a few months later, when Timmy's respite nurse was over, she was looking through the Orange County Register and talking about wanting to buy another Irish Setter. I was excited for her, and let her in on my personal wish for Timmy. I had heard Shih Tzu's were excellent family dogs and behaved wonderfully with children.
After a brief conversation, we found ourselves excitedly looking for a Shih Tzu. Within the hour, we were piling kiddies and medical equipment into the car and driving to the home of our chosen breeder!
Immediately, a bond developed between the tiny, chubby puppy and Timmy, and for the next year-and-a-half, they dearly enjoyed life together. It was one of the most cherished decisions I ever made for my child.
=====================
Three weeks after Timmy died, I stumbled upon Taffy licking a Grant's Ant Stake which had been mistakingly not picked up (it contains arsenic). Immediately, I scooped her up into my arms, called the vet and I was told to get her in. By the time I arrived at the vet, only 15-20 minutes later, Taf was already lethargic, throwing up and pouring loose stool. The gravity of the situation was daunting. I began crying hysterically, "Please don't let her die! She's my son's dog! ...I just lost my son!"
Even after sustaining Tim's final three week hospital stay, and the cost of a funeral, gravesite and burial, money was not a factor when it came to Taf. I just couldn't lose his dog, as well. After an involved overnight stay in the animal hospital, medications, IV fluids and a hefty bill, I was so incredibly grateful to bring her home. It was like getting a small piece of Timmy back.
Through the years of watching young Taf grow, mature and age, every time I pet her coat, fed her, held her, hugged her, kissed her, played with her, a very tender and raw part of my heart emerged. This last pup-to-be-picked, the total runt-of-the-litter, loved and adored Timmy. This sweet and loyal dog gave him companionship, warmth and love as he slowly degenerated and died the last year-and-a-half of the span of eight long and painful years.
In the last couple hours of her life as she lay dying, I was totally brought back to Timmy. In the seconds after her passing as the realization hit, I became unconsolable. It felt real... the last remaining bits of Timmy on earth had passed. If dogs *do* go to heaven, she had joined her young, blond little master in eternity.
====================
Memories:
Throughout Taffy's life, she was fearless any time she saw an owner walking his dog past our home. She barked all ferocious-like as she pounced hard against the screen door until it popped opened. Then she'd sprint off barking after the unassuming dog and owner. As soon as she was within range though, she'd about-face, tuck her tail down low, and take off running home completely stunned and frightened.
There was a wonderfully sweet and understanding Marine who walked his totally built ChowChow past our house several times each week. Each time Taffy saw that dog, she did the same thing; as much as I tried, I couldn't break her from it! The kiddies and I would laugh like crazy, try to scold her, and warn her, "Taf, you'd be a *snack* for that dog!" and that's how the kiddies nicknamed her Taffy Snack. :D
Ironically, it was a totally different story when visitors came to the door. She remained totally calm and yummy sweet, and after the kids, friends or neighbors left, we'd tell her, "Wow, what a watch dog, Taf! If someone were to break in, you'd show 'em the *good stuff*!"
As Timmy continued to fall ill and his team of specialists at UCLA couldn't diagnose him, I began to yearn so deeply for him to have a dog of his own.
One Saturday a few months later, when Timmy's respite nurse was over, she was looking through the Orange County Register and talking about wanting to buy another Irish Setter. I was excited for her, and let her in on my personal wish for Timmy. I had heard Shih Tzu's were excellent family dogs and behaved wonderfully with children.
After a brief conversation, we found ourselves excitedly looking for a Shih Tzu. Within the hour, we were piling kiddies and medical equipment into the car and driving to the home of our chosen breeder!
Immediately, a bond developed between the tiny, chubby puppy and Timmy, and for the next year-and-a-half, they dearly enjoyed life together. It was one of the most cherished decisions I ever made for my child.
=====================
Three weeks after Timmy died, I stumbled upon Taffy licking a Grant's Ant Stake which had been mistakingly not picked up (it contains arsenic). Immediately, I scooped her up into my arms, called the vet and I was told to get her in. By the time I arrived at the vet, only 15-20 minutes later, Taf was already lethargic, throwing up and pouring loose stool. The gravity of the situation was daunting. I began crying hysterically, "Please don't let her die! She's my son's dog! ...I just lost my son!"
Even after sustaining Tim's final three week hospital stay, and the cost of a funeral, gravesite and burial, money was not a factor when it came to Taf. I just couldn't lose his dog, as well. After an involved overnight stay in the animal hospital, medications, IV fluids and a hefty bill, I was so incredibly grateful to bring her home. It was like getting a small piece of Timmy back.
Through the years of watching young Taf grow, mature and age, every time I pet her coat, fed her, held her, hugged her, kissed her, played with her, a very tender and raw part of my heart emerged. This last pup-to-be-picked, the total runt-of-the-litter, loved and adored Timmy. This sweet and loyal dog gave him companionship, warmth and love as he slowly degenerated and died the last year-and-a-half of the span of eight long and painful years.
In the last couple hours of her life as she lay dying, I was totally brought back to Timmy. In the seconds after her passing as the realization hit, I became unconsolable. It felt real... the last remaining bits of Timmy on earth had passed. If dogs *do* go to heaven, she had joined her young, blond little master in eternity.
====================
Memories:
Throughout Taffy's life, she was fearless any time she saw an owner walking his dog past our home. She barked all ferocious-like as she pounced hard against the screen door until it popped opened. Then she'd sprint off barking after the unassuming dog and owner. As soon as she was within range though, she'd about-face, tuck her tail down low, and take off running home completely stunned and frightened.
There was a wonderfully sweet and understanding Marine who walked his totally built ChowChow past our house several times each week. Each time Taffy saw that dog, she did the same thing; as much as I tried, I couldn't break her from it! The kiddies and I would laugh like crazy, try to scold her, and warn her, "Taf, you'd be a *snack* for that dog!" and that's how the kiddies nicknamed her Taffy Snack. :D
Ironically, it was a totally different story when visitors came to the door. She remained totally calm and yummy sweet, and after the kids, friends or neighbors left, we'd tell her, "Wow, what a watch dog, Taf! If someone were to break in, you'd show 'em the *good stuff*!"
One Saturday a few months later, when Timmy's respite nurse was over, she was looking through the Orange County Register and talking about wanting to buy another Irish Setter. I was excited for her, and let her in on my personal wish for Timmy. I had heard Shih Tzu's were excellent family dogs and behaved wonderfully with children.
After a brief conversation, we found ourselves excitedly looking for a Shih Tzu. Within the hour, we were piling kiddies and medical equipment into the car and driving to the home of our chosen breeder!
Immediately, a bond developed between the tiny, chubby puppy and Timmy, and for the next year-and-a-half, they dearly enjoyed life together. It was one of the most cherished decisions I ever made for my child.
=====================
Three weeks after Timmy died, I stumbled upon Taffy licking a Grant's Ant Stake which had been mistakingly not picked up (it contains arsenic). Immediately, I scooped her up into my arms, called the vet and I was told to get her in. By the time I arrived at the vet, only 15-20 minutes later, Taf was already lethargic, throwing up and pouring loose stool. The gravity of the situation was daunting. I began crying hysterically, "Please don't let her die! She's my son's dog! ...I just lost my son!"
Even after sustaining Tim's final three week hospital stay, and the cost of a funeral, gravesite and burial, money was not a factor when it came to Taf. I just couldn't lose his dog, as well. After an involved overnight stay in the animal hospital, medications, IV fluids and a hefty bill, I was so incredibly grateful to bring her home. It was like getting a small piece of Timmy back.
Through the years of watching young Taf grow, mature and age, every time I pet her coat, fed her, held her, hugged her, kissed her, played with her, a very tender and raw part of my heart emerged. This last pup-to-be-picked, the total runt-of-the-litter, loved and adored Timmy. This sweet and loyal dog gave him companionship, warmth and love as he slowly degenerated and died the last year-and-a-half of the span of eight long and painful years.
In the last couple hours of her life as she lay dying, I was totally brought back to Timmy. In the seconds after her passing as the realization hit, I became unconsolable. It felt real... the last remaining bits of Timmy on earth had passed. If dogs *do* go to heaven, she had joined her young, blond little master in eternity.
====================
Memories:
Throughout Taffy's life, she was fearless any time she saw an owner walking his dog past our home. She barked all ferocious-like as she pounced hard against the screen door until it popped opened. Then she'd sprint off barking after the unassuming dog and owner. As soon as she was within range though, she'd about-face, tuck her tail down low, and take off running home completely stunned and frightened.
There was a wonderfully sweet and understanding Marine who walked his totally built ChowChow past our house several times each week. Each time Taffy saw that dog, she did the same thing; as much as I tried, I couldn't break her from it! The kiddies and I would laugh like crazy, try to scold her, and warn her, "Taf, you'd be a *snack* for that dog!" and that's how the kiddies nicknamed her Taffy Snack. :D
Ironically, it was a totally different story when visitors came to the door. She remained totally calm and yummy sweet, and after the kids, friends or neighbors left, we'd tell her, "Wow, what a watch dog, Taf! If someone were to break in, you'd show 'em the *good stuff*!"
