RIP Miss Wishbone

I had a friend for eight years, a furry friend. She was my best friend, and my constant companion. She is the only one who could love me enough to live with me. She was my puppy. Well, actually she was supposed to be my daughter's puppy, but interest in feeding her and caring for her waned soon after we made her part of our family.

Miss Wishbone watched over me and tried to protect me, and warn me when strangers were near. She had very warm, trusting, dark brown eyes. She was white and tan all over with floppy little ears. Well let me show her to you. This is Wishbone in her glory days.

She was smart and happy and always hungry. She loved rawhide treats more than anything on earth. She should have been a circus dog. She learned tricks easily and had an abundance of energy. She was very affectionate and wanted to be next to me all the time.

In the early days with our old furniture, she was up on the couch next to me, under a blanket, snuggling up close. When I took a nap on the couch, she was right there, spooning, or maybe at my feet at the other end of the couch -- preferably under a blanket.

It turned out that sometimes, she made me itch! I kept a Benedryl rub-on stick around, and decided she could NOT sleep in the bed. I know, hard for a true pet lover, but I got little hives that were too much for me.

When we got new ultrsuede furniture, I had to teach Wishbone to stay off. I just couldn't manage the little white and tan needle like hairs all over the green upholstery. She learned so well. And her new spot was right at my feet, looking up and wondering if any food was around. Or. . . could you by chance scratch my ears? For about an hour? So after that, she had an upstairs bed and a downstairs bed.

What a smart little angel. She always watched me with one eye as she was snoozing when I got ready for work. When she saw the pants go on and the final touch in the bathroom . . . hairspray, she headed for the top of the stairs. Oh boy. Let's go. Time for breakfast and a chew stick. Yesss.

Well, there is lots more to tell. Mish Wishbone went to sleep for the last time on Saturday at the vet's office. She had chewed a giant hole in her leg where a growth had developed. The doc said it was a cancerous tumor, broken through the skin. Wishbone had a lot of allergic skin and eye issues. Her paws were sometimes raw from her chewing the itchy allergies. I tried so many things to make her life better. But this was the end of her time.

I miss her. Each day gets easier, but I will never forget my puppy pal, Miss Wishbone. So much love in one little body. I loved her more than I can say.