Today, we said goodbye to our 13-year-old Rottie Rescue, Marion Louise. She had battled bone cancer for several months and this morning, she made it clear that the pain had overcome her joy of living. She passed away peacefully in our arms knowing that she had been loved as much as humanly -- and caninely -- possible. And we, in return, had been loved by one of the most wonderful dogs God has ever placed on this earth.
Marion wasn't a well-bred showgirl from outstanding stock. We have no idea who her parents were and have at times questioned whether she was pure Rottie or a Rottie/Lab mix (she was, indeed, pure Rottie). She was found wandering in a commercial parking lot. Heartworm Positive, pregnant and un-housebroken. We took her in, spayed her, treated her for the heartworm and got her housebroken in 90 days when everyone told us we'd never be able to housebreak a 5-year old dog. Those "experts" never understood Marion Louise. She intended to live the rest of her life as the consummate housedog. And she did.
She was tough enough to challenge Annie's authority yet sweet enough to play with every litter we had while she was here. She was a loving "sister" to Coco and Cassidy and a wise Auntie to Moxie. She traveled with us; met hundreds of people and lived a life that I'm sure she never imagined when she was living her first hears chained in someone's back yard.
She was camera-shy but let us use her in a photo session with a media vet who was putting together her media kit. Here is a picture of Marion Louise doing what she did best: giving love.
And, until the very end, she was a femme fatale flirting with every young boy that came into the house -- including last weekend when Max, a Rowdy son, came to visit for a week. She went up to him wiggling and with her ears pinned back and he licked her muzzle and her ears and thought she was the most beautiful cougar ever.
Marion Louise was a wonderful member of our family. She will not only be missed by Linda and me but by the rest of our canine family. She was loved -- truly loved -- by each of them. The house is very subdued. It will take a while to get back to normal.
Jim
