I adopted Cindy from a local pound. I wasn't even looking for a pet that day but went in looking for a friend of mine that was taking his time coming out from the kennels. I saw this cute,little dirty dog in a big cold concrete cage and my heart just broke. She came right to me at the end of the cage and i got one look into her eyes and knew i just had to bring her home with me. There was one problem though. She had been impounded and i would have to wait 3 days to see if she was claimed by anyone. I checked on a daily basis to see if she was still there and by the third day i went to the pound to pick her up. When i got there another lady had been looking at her but had forgotten her wallet at home and was gone to get it. I quickly paid the adoption fee and left quickly before that lady came back. The rest is history. She turned out to be the best friend i could of ever had. Since i dont have any children i often joked that she was my "daughter". People at work had pictures of their children and grandchildren on the staff board and i proudly had Cindy's picture up there with the rest of them. I've been ill for many years and this little dog never left my side. She made me laugh and gave me a reason to get up in the morning. I would never have left her unless i absolutly had to like having to go into hospital. She loved to eat the oddest things like oranges and pizza. Cindy was my joy and reason for fighting so hard through my illness. I knew that she needed me just like i needed her so i had to get better to take care of her. She loved going for rides in the car. You just had to say the words car-car and she would go nuts!! . I gave her a stuffed toy when i first took her home and she kept this toy throughout the years. I named this toy her "baby" and she always had it with her.She was also was fond of yellow tennis balls. If you tried to "steal" it away from her she would pretend to bite your hand off. She was quite the commedian! Cindy got ill very fast. I was not prepared to lose her so fast or in the manner that it happened. In a matter of about 2 wks. even with Ve care and a ton of money spent i was unable to save my best friend. She died in my arms at the animal hospital. The morning it happened i tried frantically to get some help because i knew she was going to die if nobody helped me. I drove from one vet to the next and finally after hours had gone by a vet was trying to help her. Poor Cindy. She was having trouble breathing at this point and was looking at me as if to say "it's o.k. mummy, i know your trying"! The vet was in the process of telling me that her little body was in "shock" and that she would need to do xrays ect...just as she was saying these words i heard a small whimper and Cindy went limp in my hands.I went through many emotions after that. I was angry at the other vets for not helping sooner, i was angry at God for taking her away from me so soon, I felt like i had let Cindy down in the most aweful way. That day shall stay forever in my mind. I miss her so much and i wish i could bring her back and knowing that its an impossibility hurts more than i can say in words. The only consolation that i have is that i beleive that i will see her again. I dont know if i beleive the concept of Heaven that is presented to us but i do beleive that there is a place that we do go when we have passed on . I beleive that Cindy will be there waiting for me when i cross over to that place . I keep Cindy's ashes nearby where i sleep so she can watch over me in my dreams. Sleep on little one and may God hold you in his arms until i get there!