Remembering Our Annie

[Jenny G]

January 11, 2004 was an unusually warm winter day so we thought we’d take Berman to the park.  When we were getting the car ready, we noticed a little black and tan smooth dachshund walking in front of our house.  She wasn’t going anywhere - just up and down the sidewalk.

We set up Berman’s old crate and gave “Annie” some food and water.  We ran a notice in the newspaper and hung up “Found Dog” signs all over the neighborhood.  I called the area shelters and no one reported a missing senior wiener dog.  After a little while, we decided to make Annie an official member of our family. 

Annie was the sweetest dog we had ever known. She had perfect manners and never gave us any problems.  She sometimes shied away from us so we suspected she might have been abused by her previous owner(s).  For this reason, we showered her with extra attention and were always gentle with her.

She was always so excited when we would come home �" especially from an overnight trip.  Annie loved going for walks and especially loved going for car rides. She would run and jump and bark as soon as we said the word “ride.”  Anytime we were cooking, Annie would stand in the kitchen and bark.  I’m not sure if she just wanted a little of what was cooking or if she just wanted to warn us that the stove was on!

In April 2005, Annie was diagnosed with malignant melanoma.  Within 2 months, the tumor in her mouth returned and grew at a rapid rate.  Annie became very lethargic, but she still got very excited to go on car rides. 

Annie lost her battle with cancer on Thursday, August 25.  We miss her terribly and we’ve been left with a hole in our hearts that can only be filled with the precious memories of our baby girl.

Annie taught us so much during her short time with us.  She taught us patience and understanding and a huge amount of love and compassion.  We are fortunate to have had the opportunity to know Annie and to experience all she had to offer.  We feel lucky that Annie found us that warm January day.

Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts during this difficult time.  We would be absolutely lost without the love and support you all have given us.

Jenny, Johnny and Berman Garrison

[David C.]

What a touching tribute.

It reminds me of the country tune "What if She's An Angel'?  (I think that's the title.  I'm not sure of the artist, although I want to say Kenny Chesney).   The lyrics are

What if she's an angel?,
Sent here from heaven
To make sure we're doing our part...

Well, you sure did your part and then some with Annie.   May you be blessed by the happy memories of having her as part of your life.

[Ruth in MT]

Jenny,
I am sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing such a
loving tribute to your girl Annie.

[Rich]

Thank you for sharing this memory and these pictures with us. That little place in your heart that will never quite completely heal will be her memorial, but there will come a time when you will remember more good times than bad. 

[Krista]

Jenny that was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful girl who touched all our hearts through your posts about her.

Warm hugs from me to you and the rest of the family.

[PattyInAK]

I know you miss her very much.  It helps to remember how they came into our lives, and how they touched and changed us.

[Roberta]

yes sounds like and Angel, she was a beautiful girlie.
Roberta

[Bratpak and Lauri]

She was a beautiful little girl!  Thank you also for giving her a home and flooded her with love!

[Barb]

Gosh Jenny - what a loving tribute....I remember when you posted about her just waiting for you at your home.  She KNEW that is where she was supposed to be!!!  She will be missed by all of us. Our tears mix with yours.  We love stories of all our angels - so when you feel the need to share an Annie story, we will be waiting.  Hugs to you all.

[Eileen]

Beautiful tribute to your little Annie.  That is very similar to the way I became owned by Doxies....finding my first one in the street (my Buffi with three good legs and one atriphied one that kind of swung in the breeze).  They do find US.  When Buffi passed, my friends all told me how much longer she had a life because of being found by a person willing to give a little dog another chance, as you did, too.  To celebrate their life while they were with us and take comfort in knowing we gave them love and a home.  Thoughts are with you, Jenny.