A Good Girl and My Broken Heart

Her first picture

When I first spotted her, just over eight years ago, she was playing with her water bowl. She was pouncing on it and knocking it about like it was prey. She was only about two months old but already feisty. I fell in love! The following week, that very same Salt & Pepper Miniature Schnauzer was in our home, our first dog and my husband and I named her Dakota. For the next four years it was just the three of us and she ruled our home and our hearts. 

Then one day we insulted her, she wouldn't look at us for days and all because we brought home our newborn daughter. Oh the insult! It seemed she wasn't fond of the baby, if we were downstairs, she would go upstairs. If we went into any room she was in, she would simply leave. 

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Snuggled when kids were sick

The day the baby gates went up was yet another insult. She couldn't escape anymore and so would just sit with her back to us! Fifteen months after our daughter arrived we brought home our newborn son. Yet again, she did not approve. Nap times and bedtimes became her favourite times, for she had us and the house all to herself, belly rubs, ear scratching, lounging on the couch with us and zero competition. It wasn't until our oldest was three that she came around...we found my daughter giving her a belly rub and Dakota purring like a kitten! Finally she would let them pet her, she would give them kisses and snuggle with them if they weren't feeling well. 

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This year however our sweet Dakota started to have some issues, seizures and pancreatitis. Being a terrier her stubbornness and strength (plus some medicine) would help her push through and bounce right back. This weekend, sadly she couldn't push through. Our sweet little Dakota fell ill, went downhill fast and was left in state that I simply can't write about. We started the weekend with her sleeping at the foot of our bed but it did not end that way. Our sweet Dakota is gone. My heart is broken. 
Despite my attempt to explain this to the kids (three and four), they don't really understand and I am partly greatful for this. We loved her, we miss her terribly, even now as I write this I find myself in tears but I write this to honour her. She was with us for eight years, she was yappy, stubborn, a hand full but most of all she was loved. Thank-you Dakota, for your unconditional love and being a part of our family. 

Rest in peace my sweet girl (Dakota 2004-2012)

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