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b.02-01-1997, d.7-31-2001
Jane saw the ad for Golden Retriever/Springer Spaniel puppies in the Phoenix paper. Price:$20. She called, and there was one left. We went to New River and returned with a golden ball of fur.
Tiramisu was named for the Italian
dessert, literally "Pick me up".
Her puppy coloring reminded us of the rich, creamy, chocolate,
coffee, rum flavored, pick-me-up. But the golden ball of joy was
our pick-me-up.
Everyone's dog is special to them. Our Pukkas, Maggie, and Holly
were special and we loved them greatly. Tira was exceptional.
She knew her job, and did it well. She had to be the one to get
the newspaper. Lucky for her (us?) we got 11 deliveries per week.
She never missed letting us know someone came to the house. She
knew exactly when it was 5pm (dinner) and especially 8pm (ice
cream). It was her job to keep the cat from scratching the stereo
speakers. She knew she had to play when the cat wanted to, or
when we got down on the floor.
Even during recovery from knee surgery, she did her job. The last
months were very hard, but she tried. Tira had a toxic liver
disease, and we thought the end would be soon. The vet said it
was the end. Jane and Tira would not accept this without being
sure there was nothing else to do.
A new vet, diet, medication, TLC, and treatment, including Jane
giving IVs at home, brought Tira back to near normal. She was
playing, eating, enjoying, and pleasing for six good months
before she started failing again. She had almost no liver
functions, and it seemed necessary to let go. But right up to the
end Tira would perk up for her favorite thing, a ride in the car.
Just pick up the car keys, and she would look for an indication
that she was going. Of course, if you asked first if she wanted
to go, there'd be singing and dancing.
We never told her she wasn't a pure bred Golden Retriever.
She would have said,"What do want for 20 bucks?"
She is only 3/4 Golden Retriever (1/4 Springer); but looks
pretty much pure bred except for her smallish ears.
She loves ice cream.
Playing on
Mingus Mt. Valentine's Day, 2001
TIRA
brought in the morning paper. She did since she was only ten
months old. Sometimes she brought us the neighbors paper.
CLICK HERE FOR THE STORY OF TIRA'S BONE HERE
