A December Remembrance
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
By: Margaret Reed

A year to remember

Last year was tough on our family. Over Memorial Day weekend, one of our dogs, Lady, died peacefully in the flower garden. Lady joined our family when she was about 6 years old, adopted from the Council Bluff Humane Society. She was 16 years old.
In the fall, our beloved dobie, "Drake" became ill and was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Over the next several months we made every effort to improve his condition through medication and medical procedures while keeping him comfortable. Despite our efforts, he passed on in December 2010.
After that experience, I swore off dogs and pets in general, feeling like I couldn't bear to witness another painful end of my best pal. I missed Drake so much though and without the presence of a furry chum, there was just empty space. Therefore, my swearing off didn't last that long. After Christmas, I just "happened" by the NE Humane Society (NHS) and couldn't resist just taking a look. Naturally, I met a new best friend "Bailey", a 10-month old, dane/lab mix, she was such a beautiful, intelligent, and gentle dog, she came home with us the next day. A short while later and since we have always been a "two-dog" family, we found ourselves back at NHS. This time we were searching for a smaller dog. We didn't have to search long. My daughter and I immediately fell for a 1-year old, German shepherd/basset hound mix. We named him "Skits" (after the dog on the PBS TV show, "Martha Speaks") and he is definitely the clown of the family.
Our family is whole again and while we will always have a special place for Lady and Drake, we have NHS to thank for bringing us all together. Thank you to all at NHS and Happy Holidays!