Our Sweet Snowy

As some of you are no doubt aware, Rick and I rescued a ten-year-old Maltese just a few months after our son, Mike, died. Her name was Snowy. . . not a name we would have chosen for her, but one she responded to.

She became one of our family so quickly. Snowy was a love, who gave Rick and I so much joy when we needed it most. She made her way to our hearts in lightning speed.

She was an old girl when we adopted her; but we obviously hoped we’d have her for five years or so.

In March of 2021, Snowy’s health rapidly declined. She had Cushings disease, which began to ravage her internal organs, specifically her liver and her heart. When it became painfully obvious that the medications were no longer working like they should, Rick and I made the heart breaking decision to have our vet put Snowy to sleep.

We have a country vet – a beautiful soul who works from her home near Cochrane, Alberta. I sat in the back seat of Rick’s truck while he drove us out to the clinic. Snowy was resting on my lap and didn’t move during the drive out. We asked the vet if she’d agree to put Snowy to sleep where she lay. . . in the back seat of Rick’s truck. She, of course, consented to do that.

The three of us were crowded into the back seat of the truck. I was crying uncontrollably – sobbing really as I stroked her sweet little head for the last time. Rick turned Snowy to face me; he thought she’d want to see my face as she passed. He was crying and our vet was crying too.

We had her for three short years, but that little pet meant so very much to Rick and I. After her passing, we both went through another grieving period for our Mike. Snowy was our salvation and hope after Mike died, so when she was gone, it brought us both back to March of 2018.

Since it was so very tough to let Snowy go, Rick and I thought maybe no more dogs for a little while. Two days later, we were both searching online again for another Maltese, preferably female. Snowy meant so much to us that we couldn’t bear to NOT have another dog.

We found Sophie in Lloydminster, Alberta. She is a female three-year-old Maltese, just retired from having puppies. She looks like Snowy’s sister and we love her already.

She’s cuddly and lovely and likes to “hunt” sticks in the backyard.

Take care everyone.

Kim