My sweet 12 week old baby Glimmer left me this morning far too soon. She only joined my household a little over a month ago. In that month, she stole my heart. We'v all talked about our heart dogs... how hard they are to find, how special they are. I have had 2- Duffy, my first Sheltie, and Athena, one of my current Shelties. I felt Glimmer was to become my third. She displayed so much of what has made Athena special, and we had an amazing connection from the get go. She was one of those brilliant dogs who you could just see had such a bright future ahead of her. Everything with her was practically effortless. She wanted to please so much, loved to be with me, and was amazingly smart and quick to learn. She was a special little girl.
She has been going to puppy classes since she was 8 weeks old, and despite being the youngest, had been the star of her class. Last night, unknown to me, was to be her last class. Her personality showed more brightly last night than ever before. It was review night. She went through her exercises in class like a seasoned dog, always doing as asked the first time, and doing it quickly at that. I had built a strong bond with her. She loved me, and would fly to me any time I called. Last night, a can of stinky cat food was added to the restrained recalls. While every other puppy failed- veering off course to go for the food, or at least giving a head check and pausing, little Glimmer flew to me as fast as her little legs would carry her, eyes only for me, never paying a bit of attention. She had such a zest for life, and while doing leash work last night was just bounding around, full of herself, happy, and sometimes in class, barking. She had the makings of a wonderful partner. Sadly, that isn't to be.
I put her up last night around midnight in her crate, went downstairs, and went to bed. This morning, I got up, checked my mail on my phone, posted a response on here, and then went to let dogs out. When I went to get Glimmer, she was dead. I am absolutely devastated. I loved my little girl so much. I can't even begin to guess what caused her death. She had never seemed healthier, happier, or more active than last night, and it was a horrible blow to wake up and find her gone this morning.
She is going in for a necropsy in hopes of finding the cause. With my other dogs in the house, I can't take any chances, despite her seeming not to be sick... and because I have a responsibility to the others in her puppy class for the same reason, and her breeder in case it is anything hereditary that she may need to know about.
Goodbye baby girl. You didn't deserve to die so young. Despite us only having a short time together, I loved you dearly, and will miss you so much. You are leaving a big hole in my heart. I hope my dear, sweet Duffy is there at rainbow bridge waiting for you. My heart dogs deserve to be together.
Next week she was to graduate from puppy obedience class. Two weeks from now was to be her first UKC conformation show.
