My beloved Australian Sheperd,Prince,was taken from me much too soon.He was less then 2 years old.He was a picture of perfect health;gleaming,silky coat,rock hard muscles,brimming with energy.So why was he taken so soon?He un-provokedly bit 2 people with no warning.He was leashed,but had neighbors scared and treatened to kill him if should ever get loose from me.His Daddy and I had to make a fast decition;let him be killed or have him humanly put down?We made he decition to have him humanly put down.

I have lost pets due to old age and illness.It was always hard to say goodbye.All of my pets were dear to me,but loosing a healthy pet un-expectadly is the worst!He was a wonderful dog,despite his personality flaws.He was completly devoted to his mommy and daddy,as well as Grandma,Papa,Cousin Alyssa,Granny,and Aunt Mary.

He came to us as the most adorable,8 week old black ball of fluff I've yet to see.He came all the way from Florida with Grandma,Papa,Cousin Alyssa,and his real sister Splash.I waited for hours on pins and needles for my little angel.He took right to Daddy and I like he'd always knew us.

His journey through puppyhood was an adventure I'll always smile and laugh at.In his mind,the cats sandbox was for digging,the waterbowl was to wade in,and the garden hose was made just for him.He was absolutly in love with the water!Had I not had a pedigree to prove otherwise,I would have thought he had Portugese Water Dog somewhere!From the time he first saw a natural body of water at 9 weeks old,there was no stopping him!Like a flash,his whole body would be submerged.

He was pretty much fearless,which HORRIFIED me!I'll never forget one day,we went out for a nice walk in the woods.I sit down to take a breath.Next minute,there goes a herd of deer,Prince hot on their heels."Great" I think,"How will I get him back now"?Once he was on the trail of something,he was pretty much tone deaf.

He did come back fairly quickly.I was suprised,but didn't question it.At least untill we were inside.Then I found out why he came back so fast.In the process of nipping their heels,thanks to his herding genes,he recieved a swift kick in the chest.In the matter of minutes,he had a softball size knot on his chest.He starts going into shock from the pain.

Panicked,I rush him to my vet,where they kept him for the day.Luckily,no bones were broken.His heart and lungs were fine.The lump was pooled blood and bruising.Vet said his body would re-absorb most of it,and urinate the rest out.He sent him home with antibiotics and pain killers.He was his old self within a week.

Did he learn his lesson?Nope!He never got hurt again,but he always had to be leashed in the woods,because when he saw the deer,he would try to chase them again.Horses,cows,deer,all were fair game to chase.He just adored doing what he ws bred to do,work livestock.

We were agility traning up untill he died.He saw the jumps,and his face lit up.Tackling tunnels,A frames,and weeve poles was just a walk in the park for him.He loved it all!He was in love with work,but also in love with me.He wanted to please me.If I told him to jump,he's say "How high?"He just wanted to be by my side.He loved his toys,especially his stufed baby doll.One by one,he'd drag all his toys out of his toybox,and put them in a pile.He'd then pick one to chew on,usually babay,but he wanted to make sure the others were nearby.I never could convince him to pt them away though!

He loved to be held like a baby,on his back being cradled.Once his matured to 50 ponds,half of him would be off my lap,but he didn't care.He'd look up at me with love,and "talk" to me.He also loved doing this with Grandma Deni.He just couldn't get close enough!Thats why his name was "Prince Of Love." He really was!

At least to us.He didn't take to alot of people.He didn't like little kids because they made him nervous.That love or us also made him very protective us,even when un-needed.The last time he it was our neighbor that he had seen many times.The neighbor that never teased him,but sometimes petted him.She was petting him when he bit.We may never know why he did it,but it doesn't really matter.

We still miss or beloved angel.No dog can ever fill his shoes.The time was short,but very fufilling.He showed me un-conditional love and devotion that I will always cherish.We have a bond yet that not even death can separtate.But death is just a temporary separation.God says when our job on earth is finished,we shall live with him eternally.Prince had just a short job.One day,my job on earth will be finished,and we will be reunited again.ntill then,I will always remembr my Prince Of Love!