Pastimes
Millie is gone now, but I hope that won't keep me from sharing about her. She was an amazing, sweet, intelligent, loving, and funny dog that was as close to perfect as a dog could be. She learned things quickly -- of course things like sit, stay, come here (although she would sometimes look at me and then keep going the way she wanted). When she was barking inside at something out the window I could tell her to "use your quiet voice" and she (usually) would. I talked to her a lot and labelled what I was doing so she'd recognize the words. Whenever I left I would tell her I "go to a meeting" so she knew that meant I'd be out for a while. Plus she got a go-to-meeting treat. She loved food, even salad. When she'd visit my parents, my dad would make her a salad every week with veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, boiled egg, plus, of course, little pieces of grilled chicken and she'd scarf it up. She'd usually skip the lettuce. She was very gentle taking anything from your hand and she was never aggressive with anyone (person or dog). She was very independent. She adapted her behavior with the person she was with -- played with my dad, snuggled close to my mom, was gentle with kids and my elderly grandmother, and walked happily with other dogs and their owners. She loved taking walks to the park. Millie was healthy until she got older. She had anal gland cancer when she was 13 1/2 (vet emptying her glands felt a hard mass) which I had removed. She had also developed congestive heart failure (she lived with two slightly leaky heart valves I learned later). She took three medications (two human ones) incuding a diuretic which caused her to sometimes urinate in her sleep. She had never had an accident before the meds. Because of that I put doggie diapers on her at night (best fit was from Walmart). She was such a trooper. She may have been lying down while I was getting ready for bed and when I'd approach her with her diaper she'd stand up for me to put it on. Such a sweetheart! I would get another schnoodle in a heartbeat. I'm so glad I was able to love and care for Millie for 14 1/2 years. I believe my dad is feeding her salad, or whatever's the equivalent, in heaven now. I know he greeted her when she left here. <3
3 years, 10 months ago