by Sandy Chapman
(Fort Mill, SC)
Penny 1995 – 2011 The Canine version of Me
On October 12, 1995, I received the most precious gift ever. My Yorkie was a gift for my 34th birthday.
She was so sweet and cute and I knew that I loved her instantly. What I didn’t know is that this day would embark a 15 1/2 year relationship that would be irreplaceable.
We moved from Charleston, SC to Dallas, TX when she was 18 mos old. I didn’t know anyone, no family or friends. Penny was my rock.
She and I started traveling to different places touring the area. She was the perfect companion. She loved going to the park, the lake, road trips. You name it, she loved it.
If I wanted to go outside, she wanted to go outside. If I wanted to take a nap on the sofa, she wanted to take a nap on the sofa.
She was the canine version of me.
We bought a bike with a basket and she loved to go for bike rides. She received so much attention everywhere we went, I always had to factor in the time we spent with everyone oohing and ahhing over her.
She loved every bit of it, but no one was every able to pick her up because she would immediately make a dash for me. If I tried to hand her to someone she would not go to them. All she wanted was me.
We lived in the mid-cities area so she was a pampered pet by every means; hair appts, canine camp, doggie bistros, she loved it all.
After 10 years, we moved back to South Carolina to enjoy the country life, but I wasn’t sure how Penny would adjust.
We visited my parents practically every weekend for five years. She loved her Grandmamma and Granddaddy.
She adapted to their 2 acre property with a private pond and dock with lots of ducks and geese (among other creatures). She absolutely loved it.
Her favorite thing to do was ride in the golf cart with Grandmamma and Granddaddy. They loved it too!
My Mom and Dad have 6 grandchildren, 5 human and 1 canine. Penny’s name was on the list for birthday cards and gifts which she received every year.
Penny was diagnosed with Cushing disease in 2010 and also had only one good eye which developed a cataract.
I opted to have eye surgery on my then 14 year old Yorkie. She had 7 mos of good vision before she passed away on 2/11/11.
I experienced losing my Mom two months prior almost to the day in December 2010.
I knew Penny wasn’t feeling well and she wasn’t nearly as active as she used to be. It’s almost as if she hung in there to help me with the loss of my Mom and then she too let go.
It’s been extremely difficult. My Mom and Penny were my two best friends and now they are gone. Sometimes the grief really swallows me up, and then there are times when I can only smile.
Penny brought such joy into my life. She will always be my sweet, precious baby. It is so hard not having her here, but in spite of the pain if I had to do it all over again, I would.
Thanks for giving me a chance to share.
Sandy
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