Fourteen years ago, my mom and I went into the shelter to pick out a puppy for her. While she was cuddling her choice, she made the comment that I needed to pick out one for myself so the pups would grow up together. That's when I met my Fur Elise - the runt of a litter of nine.
They were an owner surrender, and all they knew was that momma was a Giant Schnauzer. She bonded with me immediately, and through the years she has gone to numerous Victorian and Steampunk fashion shows. She also played foster Mom to the five service dogs we raised, and spent many years visiting patients in nursing homes as a certified therapy dog.
She is now mostly "retired" since at roughly 88 human years old she is coping with arthritis and losing her sight and her hearing. I don't know how much time we have left together, but she will forever be my girl.
SUN CITY, CA
