"First Seeing Irene"

We were to the point where we decided to get a second dog (because they are like potato chips; you can't have just one). We went to NGAP and looked over the hounds that were available. While they were all sweet, there was a little girl dog she was a bit shy, but oh so pretty. We spoke with Dave Wolf about her and that we had some concerns of how Tigger would react. Dave was great. He let us take her home for the weekend on a trial basis. We filled out the adoption papers on Sunday.

Irene has a shoe fetish:

After we got Irene, I was finding my shoes outside in the yard. This happened over and over again until I caught the little dog bringing my shoes down from the bedroom and out into the yard. She never chews them, she just takes them outside and drops them.

Irene Loves Apples Too!!!

Since we will give Tigger a half of an apple on occasion, we will now give the other half to Irene. While she didn't know what to think at first, she really seems to like apples.

Tigger leaves, Irene stays:

One morning, Tigger got out (The gate was left open the night before). Although Tigger left the yard, Irene would not. Instead, she sat at the edge of the yard where she could see the gate where Tigger made his exit, and the back door. When Jen went to call the dogs in, Irene kept looking over at Jen, then the gate (as if she were trying to tell her that Tigger had gone out the gate.

Missing Tigger

The night that Tigger passed away, Irene came over and sniffed Tigger. I think she knew that he was gone. Later, however, she jumped up on the couch and laid next to him. Over the next couple of days, it was apparent that she was missing her Tigger dog!

Welcoming Her New Friend Oppy

When we got Oppy, she had her mind made up that she was the boss and let him know it. She would give a little growl and chase him away from his bowl so she could steal his food.

Lymes Disease

Irene contracted Lymes Disease dispite being getting the lymes vacination. She had pain in her joints and would wince and whine. It was during this time when I actually broke my rule about 'no dogs in the bed'. I would bring her up on to the bed with me and I think that helped keep her calm. The medication worked well and she was back in her own bed at night.

Cheese

I used to cvall Irene my little cheese dog because she loved cheese. She had an knack for knowing when I brought out cheese for a sandwich or burgers, and would always expect a taste.

Seizures

Irene began to have grand mal seizures about once a month (typically at night). She was put on phenobarbital, but the medications were having bad side effects, so she was slowly taken off of the medication under the direction of our vet.

Saying Goodbye

Irene passed away in the early evening of June 1. I was sitting with her on the floor of our living room when she went to the rainbow bridge. She will be missed...