Tuesday, October 20, 2009

3 years ago yesterday….

As you know, I like to listen to my mom and dad talk. Boy, can you ever learn some cool stuff doing that!

Well, they occasionally mention a dog named Annie. My mom especially talks to me about Annie and says things like, “Sally, you and Annie would have been best friends,” or “Sally, I want you to jump at this event for Annie. She would have loved dock diving.”

As it turns out, Annie was the lab they had before me. Here is a picture of her. She was a big lab and very light yellow, almost white.

142According to my mom, Annie was a super swimmer, even better than me or Spud. We like to retrieve in the water, but we don’t always like to swim just to swim. Annie, on the other hand, could have lived in the water. My mom says that when they took her out on the boat, they couldn’t keep her out of the water. She would swim and swim…all around the boat…all around my mom out in the water.

anniestick2But poor Annie had a problem. My mom and dad bought her from a breeder who was not a very good man. But they didn’t know that at the time. They didn’t know there was such a thing as a bad breeder or a good breeder. So they bought this cute little lab puppy and named her Annie.

But as she developed, my mom said she would never really retrieve much. Even though she always acted interested and like she wanted to, she would only do maybe one little retrieve and then lie down. She wouldn’t climb stairs or jump up into their truck. And after an active day at the doggie daycare, she would lie on her bed all evening and whine, like she was in pain.

I’ve seen video of her running, and she ran funny, especially her back legs. They looked more like a bunny hopping along. And my mom said that when she would get up from her bed, she really struggled at times to stand up.

So, when she was 10 months old, they talked to the vet, and he x-rayed Annie. She had something called hip dysplasia…very severe hip dysplasia. And to compound the problem, she had immunity problems.

To make a long story short, when Annie was only 11 months old, they had the orthopedic surgeon do major reconstructive surgery on both hips. While the surgery went okay, her recovery didn’t. Because of her immunity problems, infections and complications set in.

After 3 weeks of Annie struggling, they finally let her go on October 19, 2006. RIP Annie, my big sister.

If you would like to read a more detailed account of Annie and her illness, here is the link: Annie’s Story.

And here is Annie’s Tribute Video:

You know, it would have been nice to have an older sister. Sometimes it gets a little frustrating living with all these boys! I agree with my mom. Annie and I would have been best friends.

The next time I go dock diving, I’m going to think of Annie when I jump.

Annie, this next one’s for you, sister!

See you on the dock,

Sally, the Captain of Team 4 Dawg Flite

Proud member of Dixie Dock Dogs

9 comments:

Mason Dixie said...

Annie looked like a great dog, so sorry to hear about her story, glad she had your parents to help her through it all though. Jump for Annie!!

Martha said...

We agree Annie looked like a fantastic dog. Thanks for sharing her story.
love you lots
Martha & Bailey xxx

Scout and Freyja said...

Well, momma has wet eyes - she knows that bad breeders cause so many problems for the little lives that they help to bring into this world. All they care about is the money...sigh.

smarts said...

awww, so sorry about annie. true, there are a lot of breeders today who do not do their job properly, all they care about is the money.

Dog Breeds said...

nice,the dog it's so cute. time passed very fast

Life With Dogs said...

I hate to say that I can relate, but I sure can. Very sorry to read this...

Chow Chow Puppy said...

It is so sad what happened, bechause Annie looked like a cute, lively and healthy dog. Thanks for sharing her story!

Martha said...

We just stopped by to wish you all a truly wonderful xmas.
We are taking a break but look forward to catching up with you in the New Year.
xxxxxxxxxxx

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