Last Sunday, i took my gorgeous foster, Maple, to Heather T's home to meet prospective adopters. They drove in from Midland, 150 miles, to meet Maple - Pam, Andy, their 11 y/o daughter, and Dino, their ten and a half y/o Dane. Heather and i were both more than a little concerned when we saw Dino; he just didn't look good at all. As expected, the little girl, who had declared she wanted Maple before ever meeting her, fell in love with Maple. When they decided to take her, i gave her a big long hug and a kiss, and left with tears in my eyes. (Yes, i know a few members were probably taking bets that i couldn't give her up!)

On tuesday morning, Heather and i got an email from Pam telling us that on their trip back to Midland, Dino licked and licked and licked Maple's face and ears for so long, she finally got in the back of the van with them to give Maple a break. Then in the next paragraph, she wrote that Dino had died about 2am tuesday morning. I'm convinced that Dino also fell in love with Maple, approved of her, and knew she would take good care of his family. They had slept curled up together sunday night. Pam also wrote that when they arrived home sunday evening, Dino pranced around the yard with his head held high and his eyes sparkling - something she hadn't seen for months. Knowing those things about Maple gave Dino permission to go - happily and in peace for the last 22 hours of his precious life.

A very sad but beautiful story. Of course, his family was devastated with grief, as we all would have been, but i think Dino had been hanging onto life by a thread, waiting for his family to bring home another Dane he felt would love and care for them as he had done for so many years. I miss Maple terribly, but know she is where she was meant to be.
doris