Clyde und Laurel

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"Clyde is my 17-year-old Weimaraner.
When he was six months old, his original 'guardian' tried to kill him by feeding him either poison or broken glass (they wouldn't tell me which). This 'guardian' was impatient with the puppy who was taking too long to die, so he took him to the vet to be euthanized.

The vet said the dog might be saved, but the 'guardian' insisted that the puppy be put down. The vet 'agreed,' took the dying puppy into the back, and the 'guardian' paid the fee and left. The vet, who routinely saves animals from abusive owners, did everything in his power to save the puppy. When he finally managed to stabilize him, he arranged to have the puppy transported out of the area to a veterinarian in another state, to prevent any accidental contact with the original 'guardian'.
Luckily, a friend of mine had just started working for the vet to whom the puppy was sent. She called me and asked if I was still looking for a male Weimaraner. I said yes; I wanted him.
So I drove to the vet's office and the puppy was carried out to my car. I have never seen such a terrible sight!
I was near tears when I saw a puppy who was so skinny he looked like a skeleton. He was so weak he couldn't walk. When I got him into my car, he just lay on the back seat and cried. I immediately took him to my regular vet who looked at him, shook his head and told me to keep him 'comfortable.' He didn't think the puppy would live through the night."

"But he didn't look into those puppy's eyes and see what I saw. Six months later, I took Clyde back to my vet. The entire office was amazed at the big, robust, healthy Weimaraner who was with me!
He was beautiful, strong and happy. For the first three years he was with me, Clyde would fall on the ground and pee on himself anytime anyone, including myself, approached him. Apparently, in addition to the attempt to murder him, his original 'guardian' had also beaten him badly. Clyde has long forgotten those horrible days. His life has been filled with love, kindness, fun and doggie friends. In spite of the abuse he endured, Clyde has always been a sweet-natured, gentle, loving dog. He has never snapped -- even when new puppies used him as their 'chew toy.' Now that this precious boy is 17 years old, I realize that he will be leaving me soon. It will hurt and I will miss him, but I take comfort in knowing that our very special bond will never be broken. I only pray that his passing be quiet and gentle, just like he is."

Contributed by Laurel Santee,Texas. August 2004:

September 2004 Update -- An e-mail message received 9/7/04:

"Dear Friends:
I am so sorry to say that Clyde passed on at home this morning, between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM.
It was expected; he had stopped eating last Wednesday. I spent the holiday weekend holding him, making him comfortable and giving him water.
He fought so hard - he did not want to leave.
The amazing part of this story is that my sister's best friend (Liz) has been in a hospice with liver cancer the last couple of weeks. She also stopped receiving food last Wednesday. This weekend, I told Clyde that if Liz came for him it was okay to go with her. Liz has always loved dogs but couldn't have one because of her many serious physical problems and illnesses.
I received a note from my sister this afternoon. Today, between 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM, Liz passed on. I truly believe that these two are together now; Clyde is in gentle, loving hands and Liz has the best dog there ever was.
Laurel Santee"