Rita
Rita wasn't the best dog, maybe, but she was our dog. She went just about
everywhere with us for fourteen years. She was smart and had a great sense
of humor and a large vocabulary. She loved animals (especially cattle,
buffalo, deer and foxes), sang along to music, enjoyed swimming, and thought
carrying sticks and playing with squeaky toys was about the finest thing
anyone could do. Rita taught us how one might make the best of diminished
expectations. Though for over half of her life, arthritis restricted her
ability to run and jump, she never complained. She always tried to please
and only wanted us to be happy.
She crowed in delight when we were reunited after brief absences. We miss
her terribly.
There is a bevy of people to thank for providing compassionate medical care
to a sometimes difficult patient: Cleveland Heights Animal Clinic and All
Creatures Animal Clinic (in Lakeland Florida, particularly Andrea and Sherry
at the pool and Dr. Teston, her acupuncturist), Dr.
Allbright at Circle of Life Animal Wellness Center, Kaylynn at Billings
Animal Clinic, and Moore Lane Veterinary Clinic (in Billings, Montana).
Cara C. and Bernard Q.
