The End of an Era

Almost 16 years ago, a small black and white puppy entered the world. Today, she left it.

She was with us so long that I almost can’t remember life before her. I remember her chewing her way through a baby gate, so that we had to learn about crate training. I remember her mouthiness, so that we had to keep going to obedience classes. I remember her complete unwillingness to learn to come when called – something she refused to learn her whole life.

She was trial by fire – a tough first dog to raise, but one who prepared us to raise all the puppies to come after her. She was the dog who tried everything with me – obedience, tracking, herding, agility. Only agility stuck.

She raised 3 puppies, 3 children, and a cat. She was brash and independent and loving. She stole food, but only when you couldn’t possibly catch her in the act, because she was the smartest dog I have ever known.

That small black and white puppy grew into a beautiful black and white dog with great big cow spots and tiny brown flecks on her legs. A one ear up, one ear down dog with a big flappy tail and a heart bigger than the world. And eventually, an Old Lady with a muzzle more gray than black, a matriarch who ruled the house with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

She was Space Dog, protector and playmate of Universe Man. She was Super Dog, who put up with wearing a cape. She was unique in the universe, and we will never see her like again.

NA, NAJ, OAJ, CGC

the best black and white dog in the whole world