Our Special Friend - Dieter, May 25, 1990 - September 8, 2004 Options

[dietersmom]

Dieter, my beloved Miniature Schnauzer, I miss you!

I remember like it was yesterday seeing your little face in the cage at the pet store. For about a month before, Monty had been suggesting we get a dog. This was July, 1990 and I'd never owned a dog before, we had always had kitties while I was growing up. I wasn't sure about a dog, but then I met you! We stopped by the pet store at a local mall on a Saturday and were just looking and there you were, and your Dada wanted a Mini. He had had Schnauzers growing up and just loved them. They put us in the play area and you were so full of life, grabbing the handles of my purse and dragging it around the store. I felt a little tug at my heart, but was so unsure. We left and went home for the night and I really did toss and turn because you had already won me over, and I couldn't believe I made you spend another night in that store. The next day we were there when the store first opened and you were already up and eating, you always were a "morning dog"! We put you in your crate and took you home. You were such a precious puppy. That first night we had put you in your crate in the bathroom and went off to bed, but you just "howled". I thought, "what have we done". But, little did we know all you needed was to be next to us, with your new "pack". We moved the crate next to the bed and you didn't make a peep. You didn't take long to crate train, and soon you were a permanant fixture in our bed, always next to your "dada". He was truly your "human". This was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

I have a lifetime of memories of you, Dieter. In that little apartment, I remember storing the ironing board next to the refridgerator and one day you were scurrying through and it fell, landing on the stove. That did it for you, you HATED the ironing board. I remember you staying with my Mom, your "gammies" and she needed to iron and she phoned us asking what had happened, because you just went wild barking, biting and attacking the ironing board...LOL You were such a funny little guy. We always knew in the future to make sure you were out of earshot if the ironing board had to come out.

You loved to go for rides in the car and look out the window and especially if we were going to "Gammies" because we would pass the Moo Cows. They loved having you come for visits to their Mountain home. I just the other day pulled out a photo of you with your gammy on a sled in the snow, flying down a hill. They miss you as much as we do, you were their "granddog". You were so smart, knowing the names of every toy, never failing to get the exact one we asked you for, and I still have them all. I just can't part with them yet.

Oh, how you loved basketball....when we lived in the house in the cul-de-sac and the neighborhood kids would play basketball...the minute you heard the bounce you would wait by the door, and bark, just so anxious to go play. No one had ever seen anything like it, the way you were such the "little guard", running right up to the dribbler and up on your hind legs you would manage to knock the ball out of their hands with your front paws and you were off, that ball was yours! Oh , deet man, the memories...the memories.

And Christmas......it truly won't be the same this year. You were the smartest dog. Of course you loved the stockings being hung, because you knew that's where your presents were. All we ever had to ask were "where are your presents" and you'd romp over and up onto the hearth directly below your stocking, not any of ours. You were such a joy. I can still see you sitting with me while I wrapped gifts, just waiting for the empty roll, so you could have it and run through the house, getting it stuck in the doorways while you tore it apart.

In this last year, I knew it was getting closer to the end of your days, but you just kept going. You had begun to separate from us, when you started not sleeping in the bed with us, it was too much of a jump and you'd rather be in your bed in the bathroom. Your hearing had started to go, too, and that was your safe place. Still, you always had a "schnauzer howl" for us and a spring in your step as you ran through the yard to greet all the other "doggies" that would pass by. Your last real adventure came this year after a storm with really high winds. You asked to go out and I opened the door and down the stairs your went. Not 2 minutes later the neighbors were calling that a portion of our fence was down and I knew what that meant. I ran out with a sqeak toy in hand and just prayed you wouldn't be hit by a car, knowing you couldn't hear very well or hear me for that matter. A few houses down, there you were, exploring in the neighbors yard, having a wonderful time I scooped you up and you gave me special "dede" kisses and carried you home. Even at 14 you were still up for an adventure.

I miss you, my boy and will never forget. You are with me forever.
I Love YOU
Your Mommy

[CheriAnn]

That was so sweet! Like you, I am dreading the holidays without my little fur daughter. All our furbabies had little special games they would play, or greetings for strangers at the door, or special hugs and kisses, etc. That's what makes it so hard!
I pray that we all do well and stay strong through the holidays.
Cheri