In memory of Valentine

My Valentine
(February 14, 1964- December 31, 1979)

Song: Candle in the Wind...

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We found her on the streets. It was a cold February day and one of our neighbors up the block called us to say this dog has been hanging out in her bushes. Would we take her in? Seems someone had dumped her off to die in the streets. That was Valentine's Day back in 1964...

My brothers went down the block and of course, they took the dog home. We named her "Valentine" ~ what else? It WAS Valentine's Day!

Well...she was a terror in the begining. Tearing everything up in the house! Ripping up the sheetrock off the walls in the garage because we couldn't keep her in the house when we weren't home. The damage she would do!

But, she was so very smart. Smart enough to get out that garage door but then would just sit on our property, never leaving, until we came home. She learned to respect our home.

She turned out to be the absolute, best dog. No more terrorizing the house! No chewing up things. She was promoted from to being left in the house again when we went out. What a good dog she was from then on.

We'd walk her without a leash. She'd nuzzle you when you were sad. She protected us if it seemed we needed protecting.

She began to limp severely the summer of '78 at age 14 due to severe arthritis. Her rear legs would lock up. She was suffering. We attempted to bring her to the vet to put her out of her misery. Mom couldn't do it and brought her home. Valentine must have sensed all this... She was rejuvenated somehow. It was almost like she became a new dog ~ a pup!

The following year, she began limping terribly again. Her eyesite started failing. She was almost deaf. We couldn't put her down. We gave her all kinds of medications to help her ease the pain.

The day before New Year's eve, during the day, my dad went to put his car away in the garage. Valentine never heard the car. Dad didn't see her walk in after he got into his car. He felt a thump and stopped the car immediately.

There she was, knocked over, broken hip and scraped leg. We immediately rushed her to the vet, dad crying the whole time saying he didn't see her. (Til the day dad passed away, he never did let go of the guilt of hitting her. )

The vet tried a harness to mend the leg but Valentine had given up and wouldn't even try to stand. This time there was no hope for her. The vet called to say it was time.

On New Year's eve, mom, myself and my husband all went in to say our good-byes. (My dad and my brothers couldn't bear to see her~ too heart breaking.)

She lay in her kennel, facing the corner and would not look at us. She knew. One by one, the three of us took our turns and hugged and kissed her. We told her we loved her so very much, cried our eyes out and said our final good-byes to the best dog and Valentine anyone could ever have.

Your first pet is always the one you adore the most. Well, Valentine was mine... I have had other pets whom I have loved and love, but my Valentine will forever and always remain near and dear to my heart.

Every Valentine's Day for the past 19 years, I still wish her happiness, send my love and kisses to the sky.

If dogs are allowed in heaven, then we know Valentine found dad. She adored him like a god and he, too, adored her. She forgives him and they are together... again.

E-mail me at Pamangela

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