My name is Amber, and this is the story of Leroy, who passed away on November 22, 1999, at home, in my arms. Leroy was a gift, given to me by my husband for our one year wedding anniversary. I had always wanted a Pug, and so when we got Leroy I was so excited. He was such a tiny little fellow, so cute and sweet. He would follow me around, and always had kisses for me. I spoiled him rotten by carrying him around, and as a puppy this was easy to do because he only weighed 3/10ths of a pound. Leroy grew into a 16lb Pug, but still expected to be carried. =-) He was so sweet, always there to be my buddy, following me around on walks, and always wanting to share my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I taught him how to eat from a fork and a spoon. He always liked to play this little game with my son, Blake, who would sit on our couch and Leroy would sit next to him, and when Blake would turn around to look at him, Leroy would lick his face, and then look away very fast. It was so cute. He was a happy little fellow, so pretty, and had grown into one of the most loving little guys I had ever seen. He was my baby. He loved to be held like a baby, and rocked to sleep. He wasnt only my pet, he was my child. A child who would never grow up, who would always love me, who would always greet me as if I had been gone his entire lifetime. He had a little "sister" named Zoie, who we got when he was 6 months old. She is a Pug also, and from the beginning they were instant friends. They slept in the same kennel, and would cry if kept apart. They played together, ate together, went everywhere together. They were inseparable. Leroy began to whine whenever we would touch his head on about November 15, 1999. Since he had gotten into a small scuffle with a Golden Retriever, we didnt think much of it. On November 18, however, Leroy began to whine and finally, screaming so loudly, arching his back in pain, going down to his forepaws. I immediately called his Vet, and was told it was most likely his anal sacs, and to bring him in. He was treated, and sent home. Sure enough, he was running around and playing that evening, and everything was fine. A few days later however, he collapsed, breathing very shallow, and couldnt walk. He would scream in pain if his head was touched. I called the Emergency Vet, and was told he would be fine, and just to take him into his regular vet. The vet determined it was something neurological,(a different vet from the first visit) and he was placed on anti-biotics, and steroids. He would be fine for a while, and then he started having seizures. I took him to the vet 3 times, and finally, on Monday, November, 22, 1999, they placed him on anti-spasmatics, and determined he had Pug Dog Encephalitis, and that perhaps, maybe, these medicines would help. This will be a day that I will never in all my years to come, that I will forget. Leroy went outside to play and to potty in the yard, with Zoie, and he collapsed onto his forepaws again, and started keening. He then started to have a seizure. His eyes were blinking rapidly, and then he started to foam at the mouth, and paddle his feet. I picked him up,carried him into the house, and placed him onto his blanket. He laid there, while I comforted him, unable to walk, and hardly able to breathe. I did what I could I know, but I still wish I couldve done more. Suddenly, he went limp, and was breathing very hard, but shallow, and making horrible gurgling noises. He was unconcious at this point I believe. I begged him to hold on, and to fight. I held him in my arms, stroking him, telling him how much I love him, and need him, and begging him not to die. He finally cracked his little eyes open, just barely that I could see a slight twinkle. He wagged his tail at me, as if to say, "I love you too", and died. I started screaming at him not to go, and that I loved him. I gave him mouth to nose, and couldnt even inflate his lungs. I knew he was gone, but I didnt want to accept that. I called his vets office and hysterically told them I thought he was dead. They told me to bring him in immediately. I rushed him to town, all the while giving him mouth to nose at the stoplights. I ran him inside, and immediately 3 vets took over. Finally, the dr. came in and told me he was gone. I will never understand why such a wonderful little creature who brought so many people joy was taken from me. I know that God, or whomever you choose to believe in, has a plan for every living thing on this earth. I know that had he lived he wouldve been in greater pain than he was, and is now. My son said it best, that "God took Leroy home because there are so many children in Heaven who needed someone to be with them, and God knew that Leroy loves little kids." In a way, I am fortunate. I didnt have to make that decision to have him put to sleep, and I got the chance that many dont have. I got to hold an angel in my arms, and watch it go home. Many people dont understand that this little dog was more than my pet, he was my best friend, and more like a child to me. I still think about him everyday, and I know he is watching over Zoie's new litter of babies. Its her first litter and there were no deaths. I know that Leroy is taking care of them. And I know that someday, Ill be reunited with him, at Rainbows Bridge. If you would like to read more of Leroys story, then please visit my webpage. http://lilcountryhoney.mainpage.net Amber aka LilCountryHoney Mommy to Brenna, age 8, Blake age 6, Zoie (and her babies) and to my little angel Leroy, August 1996-November 1999