2. The day we brought Heart home from the local breeder was the happiest day of my five year old
daughter's life. She waited on pins and needles for Heart to be born and to get old enough so we
could welcome her into our home and family. Heart instantly became an important member of
our small family. Heart was a short hair miniature Pinscher who had a jet black glossy coat with
a chestnut brown patch on her lower neck. When I asked my daughter her reason for naming her
new puppy Heart she looked up at me with her big brown eyes and responded, "Because when I
saw her she melted my Heart. I am in love with her, Mommie." My daughter got more
enjoyment out of playing with her new found friend while I took on the task of routine feedings,
baths and house training sessions. This energetic three pound ball of fire kept me busy. She was
so tiny that everyone in my household feared stepping on her by mistake. To ease this fear I
purchased her a pink blinged out collar with a small bell attached and put it around her neck. We
could hear her coming from a distance afterwards.
Heart also became an important part of my extended family. She was the star of every family
gathering. She went with us on family outings and to major family events. She managed to be the
life of every party. She would playfully entertain us by standing on her hind legs and dance
around on command showing us something special.The sound of her jingling bell as she walked
around the house was a joyous sound that I grew to love.
After we had her for about four years I noticed that Heart was listless and shedding hair
profusely. I knew that she was becoming ill because clumps of her hair were falling out when I
would gently rub her. Within a matter of a week she seemed to be very weak and would tremble
at times. Her glossy black coat was beginning to look dull and she wasn't as active. I became
extremely worried when she stopped eating and could not stand or walk. I quickly wrapped her
up in her favorite pink blanket and rushed her to the vet. The vet informed me that she was
suffering from Addison's disease. The common name for this condition is hypoadrenocorticism.
This adrenal insufficiency causes potassium levels to elevate and disrupts the normal functions
of the heart. This caused her kidneys to not function correctly. I could not afford to keep her
alive without allowing her to suffer. Thus, I made the tough decision to put her to sleep.
3. I looked at her wrapped in the fluffy blanket and knew this would be my last farewell to my
beloved pet. I tenderly unwrapped her and gave her a kiss and gently unsnapped her pink collar
with the small bell attached. Not only was she my daughter's first pet, but she was my first pet as
well. I carefully wrapped her back up and handed her to the vet. I tearfully made Heart's final
arrangements and placed the pink collar into my purse. The drive back home was sad for both
my daughter and I.
For weeks I was in a depressive state because I missed having her at home and hearing the soft
jingle of the small bell as she pranced around the house. It was hard for me to go into Heart's
room without shedding tears. A member of my family was gone and I was having a hard time
coming to grips with the void that lingered. One morning I was home alone relaxing in the tub.
For a brief moment I heard the jingle of a small bell. As I listened carefully I continued to hear it
faintly. I knew that sound very well. It was the same sound I heard when Heart would walk
around the house. I tossed my head back and allowed the warm bath water to engulf my body up
to my chest. I felt the feeling of love rush throughout my body. Heart came back to let me know
that she was okay and healthy again. I smiled as I closed my eyes.
Location: USA
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