Little 'Orphan Annie' by Joseph Tipton

Little 'Orphan Annie'

by Joseph Tipton

We had Annie with us for about twelve years. She never got to be a large dog, about 25 pounds, but very strong. She was fiercely protective of 'her yard'and would let us know if anyone got anywhere near our place. On her trips out however she loved everyone. Unfortunately, she began losing weight during the winter, but ate well until the first of April when her appetite diminished, and on having her in the clinic for four days, it was determined that her kidneys had totally failed, and Dr. Martin said she was beginning to suffer. It broke our hearts, but we felt that it was the most humane thing for our 'little gal'to go on, so Dr. Martin eased her over the Rainbow Bridge that morning. She is buried in our back yard in our 'pet cemetery'. My sister in Knoxville, Martha Dunn, selected a nice stone and made her a headstone with her name, date, and some pink butterflies on it. She also sent a check for a pink blanket for Annie to be wrapped in. Three of our 16 cats attended the burial. They watched intently, as if they knew that something important was happening. We are missing our 'little gal' very much, but glad that she will be there to meet us when it is our turn to cross over.

Comments would be appreciated by the author, Joseph Tipto