Sometimes you don’t know the true value of something until it is almost to late. This was the case with Solo.
 Solo was the only pup in Bailey’s second litter. Originally promised to a friend it was later decided that she would stay with us and be my next show dog. Solo’s career started off with a blast. Her first weekend of showing she was Best of Breed puppy at the States Kennel Club Dog show two days in a row. On the third day she amazed us all by winning Best in Show Puppy at a Puppy of the Year Competition. We couldn’t have been happier. Shown for a limited time in AKC shows Solo quickly gained points as well as one major. Unfortunately, Solo’s show career was taking place at the same time that I was in school and funds were limited. The weekend of Solo’s last show she not only won a major but she also won Best of Breed over several specials. This was a huge win and a big honor.
 Solo was bred twice. From her second litter we kept Reigne and Dru. Slightly after her sixth birthday Solo was then diagnosed with mammary cancer. At the time she was only given six weeks to live. Solo by far outlived her projected time. During her illness Solo lived more that one year then she had the six years prior. She was also lucky enough to be able to go to work with me each day. There at work Solo found a new career. Solo became the hospital mascot for a year providing comfort to those hospitalized dogs who missed their housemates. Solo also provided inspiration to those owners who were trying to come to terms with their own animals cancers. After meeting Solo they realized that dogs with cancer can be happy even as the disease is taking over. Not one person who met her that final year had any idea how sick she was. For Solo each day was a blessing another chance to go swimming and chase tennis balls.
 Solo was called to the bridge fourteen months after her diagnosis. In the end it wasn’t her big show wins or even the pups that she produced that meant the most. I was closer to Solo that last year of her life then I had been the six years previous to it. She taught me several lessons about dying but mostly about living. Solo lived until mid October 1998.
We miss you ‘Squampy dog" Every day was a blessing. Every month a miracle.
|
Solo was the only pup in Bailey’s second litter. Originally promised to a friend it was later decided that she would stay with us and be my next show dog. Solo’s career started off with a blast. Her first weekend of showing she was Best of Breed puppy at the States Kennel Club Dog show two days in a row. On the third day she amazed us all by winning Best in Show Puppy at a Puppy of the Year Competition. We couldn’t have been happier. Shown for a limited time in AKC shows Solo quickly gained points as well as one major. Unfortunately, Solo’s show career was taking place at the same time that I was in school and funds were limited. The weekend of Solo’s last show she not only won a major but she also won Best of Breed over several specials. This was a huge win and a big honor.
Solo was bred twice. From her second litter we kept Reigne and Dru. Slightly after her sixth birthday Solo was then diagnosed with mammary cancer. At the time she was only given six weeks to live. Solo by far outlived her projected time. During her illness Solo lived more that one year then she had the six years prior. She was also lucky enough to be able to go to work with me each day. There at work Solo found a new career. Solo became the hospital mascot for a year providing comfort to those hospitalized dogs who missed their housemates. Solo also provided inspiration to those owners who were trying to come to terms with their own animals cancers. After meeting Solo they realized that dogs with cancer can be happy even as the disease is taking over. Not one person who met her that final year had any idea how sick she was. For Solo each day was a blessing another chance to go swimming and chase tennis balls.
Solo was called to the bridge fourteen months after her diagnosis. In the end it wasn’t her big show wins or even the pups that she produced that meant the most. I was closer to Solo that last year of her life then I had been the six years previous to it. She taught me several lessons about dying but mostly about living. Solo lived until mid October 1998.
