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Pippin
Pippin's formal name was "Perpetual Motion" -- he never sat still for more than an instant. Even when he'd snuggle (and he loved to snuggle) he'd constantly wriggle and kiss and flash through adorable pose after pose, defying you to ignore him. Little girls LOVED Pippin -- he looked like an animated stuffed animal, and my nieces always treated him like he was a prized addition to their Barbie collections. He was my cartoon dog, with a desperate need to be the center of attention.
I got Pippin just when I was changing my training methods to dog-friendly ones, and it wasn't a moment too soon. Pippin was a very soft dog. If you looked at him harshly, he’d collapse as if physically crushed. Indeed, he was convinced rain would kill him.
One night in February 2006, Pippin started showing signs of pain. One minute he'd be fine, trying to steal a dog toy, and the next he would pant and whine. I couldn't figure out what was wrong. At 2:30 a.m., he woke me in distress. I rushed him to the emergency vet, where they tried to stabilize him until the specialist internist veterinarian came in. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to mitral valve disease. He rallied ... then grew worse. I had to make the painful decision to ease his suffering.
Usually with this disease, you have months or years of symptoms. I had less
than one day. The doctors told me this sudden strike was unusual. Through my
grief I realize that was so very like him -- Pip always was a dramatic little
fellow.
 He was nervous and needy and altogether charming. And although he only weighed
7 lbs., he's left a big, empty place in my life. From the bottom of his little
poofy heart, Pippin was always a Mama's boy. I'm so grateful for the 11 years
he shared my life. I know he's been reunited with Cody once again ... and that
he's probably flitting from angel to angel, trying to convince them he's the
new center of Heaven.The Rainbow Bridge (Author Unknown)There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the “Rainbow Bridge” because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush, green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food, water and warm spring weather. The old and frail are young again. Those who are maimed, are made whole again. They play all day with each other. There is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on Earth. So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches! The ears are up! The eyes are staring and this one suddenly will run from the group!
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Contact: 803-356-9170 or PawsitiveRslts@aol.com Copyright ©2008
Pawsitive Results, L.L.C.
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I remember the first time I laid eyes on Pippin. He was a tiny bundle of fluff
with huge ears, crouched in the grass. "Awww, he's so ..." I started. Boing!
He was airborne. Boing! And again. Boing! Of the 11 years Pippin spent on this
Earth, I think half of them were actually in the air.
He grew up with my beloved Labrador Cody, and I think he thought he was
really a Labrador in spirit. On the occasions he ever met other Papillons,
he was terrified of them! He stole bones and toys right out from under the
Labs, and they always just wagged their tails and let him. But if they tried
to take 'em back, he would get all bent out of shape at the injustice.
You
have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her
in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again, and you look once
more into the eyes of your trusting friend! Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge
together, never again to be separated.