LADY

Nov. 25, 1993 - Mar. 20, 2002

Hi! My name is Lady. I am the Matriarch of the group in that I was the first to arrive. Actually I was almost a year old when I came to live with Dr. D and I certainly like Kenner better than I did Chalmette. I arrived in early October of 1994 and knew when I got out of the car I was home. Things were pretty exciting with all the unpacking and putting away. It was great to have my own back yard to run and play in. I already knew how to fetch and was pretty well house trained. I was young and still liked to chew on things. I am sure that if you look around the house you will find a few things with bite marks on them. About a month after I arrived, Dr. D came in with a new toy. It turned out to be Gretchen. She was only 6 weeks old at the time. I taught her all my tricks and how to get attention. We used to really have a good time with the TV remotes; but that wasn't really appreciated, so we are not so bad about it now. About 3 years ago we were both surprised by another new addition - Mulder, the fox terrier. He was such a stinker to start with, but we have encouraged him to appreciate what a wonderful place he has to live in. I think he is mellowing out some. He is still a little bossy at times and I have to put him in his place. His biggest fault is when he breaks and runs, but he is getting better, particularly since he tangled with the neighborhood cat. I think that trip to the vet and being scratched made a believer of him. I will fill you in on a little more stuff as you look at the other pictures.

On March 18, 2002, Lady suddenly became ill. She experienced an anemic crisis from an acute onset of autoimmune hemolytic anemia. After two days of heroic attempts at management it was inevitable that she would not be able to survive and her suffering was humanely ended as she was lovingly held. Truly she was one of God's great creatures and always demonstrated untiring and unconditional love. She was loved greatly and will be missed.

MULDER

He came to us as a rescue in October 1996 and departed this life on February 11, 2008

I am Mulder. I actually came with another name, Toughie. Anyway, I had been picked up by the pound in Dallas. No one claimed me and fortunately I was sent to the Fox Terrier rescue league in Houston. I consider that pretty lucky considering the fate of many dogs that wind up on the pound. Nonetheless, Dr. D rescued me and since no one really knew my name he decided I would be Mulder - named after Fox Mulder on the X-files. You can guess the relationship - Fox - Terrier??? Oh well.  I am generally only called that when I am acting stubborn or not minding too well. Most of the time I am more affectionately called Mully. I love to run and am really good at it when I can sneak out of the back gate or break at the front door. Dr. D has gotten wise to my tricks. Anyway, I can really run and explore the neighborhood. There's just something about open country that makes me ignore commands to come back home. I know it is exasperating, but I just sometimes can't help myself. The last time I ran away from home I tried to play with a neighbor's cat. The cat didn't want to play, so the confrontation was more than I expected. Dr. D is still reminding me of the cost of the vet bill for that little adventure. Anyway, even though I don't always get my way and have to listen to the girls, I really like our little family.

After we lost Lady, I have become the constant companion. It's nice finally being the top dog. Gretchen doesn't care, so it suits me just fine.

Mully left this life on February 11, 2008. Mulder had a good life after he came to us on that October day in 1994. He was a constant companion even after he became deaf. He could interpret what you were saying and had a knack for knowing what hand signals meant. After an 8 year battle with chronic glomerulonephritis, he fought the good fight. After a relatively painless but rapid decline, Mully joined Lady in the great not yet on February 11, 2008. I know she welcomed him with open paws and they romped and played as when they were very young together. Mully was a good and loyal friend always aiming to please. Gretchen and I mourn but know that he is now in a better place, free from pain and restored to joyous life in the hereafter. He truly exemplified the name he came to us with, Toughie. He endured to the end and gave it his all.

I give you this one thought to keep –
I am with you still – I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glint on the snow,
I am the sunlight on ripened grain,
I am the gentle rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not think of me as gone –
I am with you still – in each new dawn.

                   -Native American Prayer -

GRETCHEN

September 24, 1994 - March 21, 2009

Greetings. I'm Gretchen. I arrived on the scene in November of 1994 as a puppy. Lady didn't like me very much at first because I thought she was my mother. However, we have become great friends and she has taught me a lot of tricks. I am a little more independent than she is. She can't wait to get Mully and I outside so she can follow Dr. D around in hopes of getting special attention or a secret treat. Of course, she is the Matriarch and has to make sure everything is like it is supposed to be. We all get along great. Mully tries to play too hard sometimes and so Lady and I have to keep him in line, but he knows his place in the group. Lady and I got to go to Washington in 1995 for the Summer. Dr. D was on a fellowship there and found us all a great place to stay in Bethesda, MD with Helen Simon. She had rooms for rent and she and her son, Chris, became great friends. We scared them to death a few times when we tried to see the area on our own, but, I guess, all's well that ends well. Anyway, it's been 5 years since we've seen them. Dr. D seems them periodically when he is in Washington on business. I hope they will come to  visit us one of these days.

In March 2003, it was discovered that Gretchen was blind. Possible cause was SARDS (sudden acute retinal degeneration syndrome), unknown origin. To see her play and go about her daily activities you wouldn't believe she was blind. She is doing well and it doesn't seem to bother her in the least.

Gretchen began to have a lot more problems in 2007. She had a horrible bout with inner ear problems and could hardly keep her balance. Then she developed a heart murmur, hypertension, and suffered from low thyroid. Although she was doing pretty well on medications, it was getting where she was having more bad days than good. Finally after two serious episodes of syncope from the heart murmur, she just didn't have much fight left. I was time for her to join her long time companions Lady and Mulder at the Rainbow Bridge. I am sure they are all happily romping and playing, healed from their maladies.

Holly (short for Holiday)

Here is our latest addition to the family. This is little Holly. She came to us from the shelter on December 8, 2009. She is about a year to a year and a half old. Holly is a purebred silver Miniature Schnauzer. She has certainly made the dynamics a lot more interesting. Andy seems to be more concerned about the attention she gets than Maggie. Maggie has accepted her and they are already playing around together in the back yard.

ANDY

Andy came to live with us on March 11, 2008. He was a rescue and we think he is 2 to 4 years old. He is fitting into the family well and Gretchen and I are very glad he's here. More about him later. He and Gretchen had a good year together.

Maggie Mae

After Gretchen left us, we began looking for a younger playmate for Andy. Maggie Mae joined us on March 28, 2009. She is a terrier mix. The shelter said she was a Schnauzer mix but everyone thinks she is really a Scotty mix. She is an active 1 year old and well-behaved. She fits in well and is trying her best to become the alpha dog. Andy is so easy going, it doesn't bother him and they are really getting along well together.