Riggs had a very expressive face and more and more days were creeping in that we knew too well. We have a bunch at Rainbow Bridge,unless they spotted a relative and went along with them! Riggs was 110 lb. Shepherd that was deemed at one point in his life to not be of value. The breeder of course was thinking of money--not slurps,hugs,24/7 love and devotion,better than a security system,beautiful to just watch him play and run and grow. Our "runt" was as healthy and happy as any dog. He had this huge furry tail that seemed to take some gettig used to for all of us. When dogs are happy their tail waging is a fairly safe sign of happy or excited. Riggs was both of those things. Like any "kid" he had his share of his own ideas thank you just so much. He decided to just sulk awhile and then a pat on the head or a hug and everybody seemed to have come to terms about it all. Riggs was born with hip dysplasia and was not expected to be able to do much. He was always running with the big dogs though. You see they were a lot like our human family, the "against all odds sort".He had many years of love from his human family and his K9 family. Over the last few months he began to loose more and more of his happy times,he spit out that medicine you gave him, he began falling and dragging himself to be with the rest of the pack. They kept watching out for him though, thats what families do. They accepted him just like he was and made sure he knew he was part of the pack. Riggs had a habit of making this sound--the thump you hear when your "kid" just fell sound asleep on your lap! On the day we had to give him permission to tell us what he needed, he was hurting,the pack closed to guard him in their sensing his real need--to go where he could run and walk and yelps would be from fun, not pain or fear. A very down to earth vet we have used for years told us once that if you listen to them they will tell you or show you in their own way that they need to go on to the other side. Riggs did, he did a couple of really uncommon things for him. They definatly got our attention, when asked "What is up with you, what do you want?"All I had to do to know was accept the fact that "that look" was there and the K9 pack knew, they were just waiting for Mom to quit crying. By the end of the day we all had cried, and we probably will for awhile,a long while.Each is special and no matter how much it hurts when they have to go God will get you through. We think from time,to time--no more. It hurts too much when you have to honor their trust in you to see "that look" and do the last merciful thing you can do for Them. As I sat on the floor of the exam room with Riggs head on my lap and waited for the fear in him to calm (the ride to the vet even hurt him and he always loved rides),the vet prayed with us,gave Riggs a shot to let him relax, he raised his head up,"that look" still there,when I said o.k. he slurped goodby,then his last shot came and I heard that thump sound on my lap from Riggs. We know from experiance that we will have times that we could swear one that has gone on is closer than we know. Riggs snored, snored, snored and slept on his back sometimes,which always was one of those times that you look at him and just shake your head and go that's Riggs being Riggs. Every time we decide to not get swayed by that other look --the K9 species has seemed to develop their own strategies when dealing with people. Like "that look", when they need a home and you like you have just the place for me,take me home with you, let me in out of the dangers I've been abandoned to--they really are quite good at that. Riggs was a lovable,unforgetable 110lb. "runt" of more value than money can express. We miss him, still get a few tears now and then and the 3 we still have know why and come to rescue us with slurps and chew toys. The same month that Riggs went to rainbow bridge a friend of ours had to send their long loved friend to rainbow bridge. Krusty was a joy for her family and they will miss her --she had a really odd favorite ride--her owners morotcycle, he had a "dog safe" seat he made for her so she could go on trips too. So for all the of us dog lovers and animal lovers of all kinds, keep loving them and chances are really good that they will return that love. May our Riggs and Ducks beloved Krusty be rested at Rainbow Bridge by the grace of Gods love. Loving memories we will treasure, your people family and your K9 family. For Riggs, Krusty and all the ones who have to go with out anyone there to care.