In Memoriam "Fritzi " Fritz of Sherwood

"Fritzi" was a rather "sick" puppy; his health was anything but
quality.

Born cryptorchid, he underwent a major abdominal surgery by the
age of 1 year, only to be diagnosed with chronic renal failure by the
age of 2 years and hip dysplasia by the age of 3 yrs. as well as
recent testing for Addison Disease.

His weight was never more than 57 lbs., some days he was too
weak to get up. His health seemed to be improving with medi-
cation an diet. The puppy Magic, his best Leo-Friend might have
prolonged his anyway very short life, as well as our recent edition,
the Youngster Clay got Fritzi up and running.

March 2, 1999 - a day I'll never forget -
I had to say Good Bye to my beloved Leo Fritz.
Fritz was the kind of dog I always dreamed of,
always by my side, ready to protect or
just give that big wet kiss and making the day a little brighter.

On this Tuesday morning I knew there must be something wrong;
the spot besided my bed where he used to sleep was empty.
I found him next o my son Ben's bed, too weak to walk.
I scooped him up, drove to the vet thinking "this can be fixed" -
but in my heart I felt and knew it was time to let him go,
for I knew he could no longer fight the battle.

I saw in his eyes, eyes that were once bright
and happy, now dark and lost.

O didn't want him to die in the clinic,
so I stayed with him in the van .....

held him one last time, telling him what a good
boy he was and how much we all loved him

as he took his last breath.

I don't know ....but I brought Fritzi back home,
wrapped him in his blanket, the kids made cards
and gathered all his toys together.

We put him to rest in my garden, a place
he will always be safe and never too far away.