by Leta Chester
The honored "caretakers" of this sweet little pup first saw her when she was only 8 weeks old in a little pet shop in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She had been born the smallest of the litter in a little town in Nebraska on May 12, 1986. Oh so tiny and almost solid black in color, she stole their hearts as she curled up on the lady caretakers lap on the way home. She wasnt much bigger than the ladys hands. The caretakers named her Princess Heidi von Altheim. Altheim, Germany was the town where the lady caretakers dad was born. Because the lady caretaker had no human children, Heidi became one of her kids. Well call the lady caretaker "Mom" for Heidi was very much like her little child.
Heidi quickly grew, but was always a tiny Miniature Schnauzer. She tended to be a little on the timid side, but because she was smaller than Moms other Schnauzer, Heidi quickly learned to stand up for herself at the food dish. Still, she was always the sweetest little girl who "wouldnt hurt a flea" and gave Mom total and complete unconditional love.
When Heidi was 14 months old she became a mother for the first time. You could tell immediately of the instinctive love she showed for her offspring. Then only six months later Heidi had her second litter of puppies. She was a good mother, but a little tired by now, so a long period followed where Heidi didnt want any more offspring for awhile. Her last litter of puppies came rather late in life, at age 8 years, and it was a remarkable surprise and miracle to all who thought her offspring-bearing days were over. Because of her age and a few problems that arose, Heidis last litter was born Caesarian and produced three precious little female pups.
All during her life, Heidi, was always the sweetest, the quietest, and the most loving of the Schnauzers that Mom raised. Heidi was the quietest of the Schnauzers, that is, until it came to "singing". Whenever the other dogs heard a siren they began a typical Schnauzer howl. But not Heidi. Heidi sang a pretty little song in her best soprano voice which always made Mom laugh and smile with pride.
Heidi wasnt always sweet and considerate to Mom. Heidi had a devilish side to her. She loved to give her Mom a scare when shed manage to escape any fenced area she was in, despite repeated repair of the fence with chicken wire. While the other dogs remained fenced, Heidi frolicked the neighborhood, chasing rabbits and chickens and always finding the biggest mud puddle to play in.
Then it came time to move to Boise, Idaho and Heidi adjusted well to the trip. However, "Heidi Houdini" managed to jump the fence and put Mom into a tizzy the very first day in their new home. Fence adjustments were necessary again, but eventually Heidi settled in and found out the grass was not always greener on the other side of the fence.
Shortly after her last litter was born, Heidi began to limp a little. At first Mom thought it was old age or arthritis setting in and the Doctor thought it was a pinched nerve. However, within a year, Heidi slowly got worse and eventually couldnt walk. It was possible a tumor was on her spine, so Mom took her to the Washington State Veterinary College where tests were run and a cancerous tumor on her spine was diagnosed. Surgery and radiation treatments were the only hope of keeping Moms lovely little girl alive and out of pain, for even another year. Mom did not hesitate. It was something that had to be done.
A very courageous, determined, and patient little Heidi underwent the surgery and radiation treatments that lasted nearly a month. Always happy, and now out of pain, Heidi won the hearts of all the doctors and students helping her at Colorado State at Fort Collins, Colorado. She could now move her legs voluntarily, but the months of inactivity had caused her muscles to atrophy and it would be a long, difficult road of physical therapy necessary if she would ever walk again. She made great strides to recovery once she was home again but could only stand for seconds at a time. She tried and tried, but she was never able to walk again.
For a year after her diagnosis and surgery, Heidi lived pain-free and a very happy and much spoiled little girl. Then, in January 1997 there were signs that the cancer had returned. All that was left was to try to make Heidi as comfortable as possible. Her days were numbered, and Mom knew it. Mom prayed many nights for God to take Heidi before she was in too much pain and before she would have to put her to sleep.
Then the week of April 20th came. Heidis organ functions seemed to be failing her, caused by the presence of the tumor on her spine. The Doctors tried all they could, but nothing more could be done. On Thursday, April 24th, Mom and Heidi were ready. The doctors were going to help Heidi to Heaven. But as if to spare Mom the guilt of having to take her babys life, God suddenly took Heidi right before Moms and the Doctors eyes; before the hand of any man or woman could take her life. It was the saddest, yet the most beautiful thing Mom had ever seen. Heidi was finally at peace and in the hands of the Lord.
Heidis little body rests peacefully now beneath a beautiful evergreen tree in the backyard, next to a lovely and aromatic lilac bush. Lovely flowers adorn her grave. Mom is trying to cope with loneliness and a huge hole in her heart. She had raised that sweet little pup from the age of 8 weeks, and later in life when Heidi needed her the most, she hand fed and watered, diapered and bathed, doctored and entertained her beloved little girl Heidi for nearly 16 months. The pain will eventually subside in time for Mom, but the memories of that precious little handful will always be with her.