An Inspiration Peyton was 8 yrs old. She died on August 3, 2010 from heart failure after emergency surgery to remove a tumor. Kirbi is 4, Baillee is 16. We got Peyton in Birmingham in order to keep Baillee company and because we were told Baillee was close to passing. But Baillee surprised us. She took to Peyton and acted as Mother to her. Baillee's health turned around dramatically. You could say, Peyton saved Baillee. Peyton was always a little funny. We called her our "special" girl. She had problems hearing and problems with her eyesight. She couldn't see in the sun at all. She was also missing some teeth and was starting to have cataracts at 8 yrs old. The Dr. said a few months ago that she heard something in her heart too. We also had problems house breaking her and she was not the brightest bulb on the planet but the sweetest. We tried to crate train her but she could not control herself and would poop all over her crate at about 3:30 AM. We would get up and clean her up, feed her and hold her while I worked on my computer. Looking back, we think she always had a tumor in her appendix area and bowels and she was in pain when she tried to go. That is why she had so much of a problem. I think she just learned to live with the pain. She was constipated all the time and now we know why. The tumor and the pain would keep her from going. We tried everything to feed her to help her. When she would have a normal bowel movement, she would be so happy and just jump around and celebrate, jump into my arms and lick my ear and just have the best time. Now I know that she was without pain for a few hours. All in all, I think she had birth defects from the start and overcame all of them until the tumor burst and her heart gave out. I am grateful for the 8 years and how well she overcame everything. She was always sweet and never mean to anything. Her and Kirbi were great together and she always helped Baillee. There is a big hole in my life were she was. Surprising how such a little thing can be so big. Yesterday, we put our favorite pictures of her on the fireplace mantel, along with her collar and name tag. I had class last night and at the beginning of each of the two classes I showed her picture and told the class about her and that I had lost her. After class last night I got a drink, assembled everyone (Susan, Baillee, and Kirbi) and we talked about the great things she did and was. We talked about how much we would miss her and I gave a toast. I think Baillee and Kirbi understood. We cried for awhile and then said goodbye. Manly or not, I had to do it and send her off in a way she deserved. She overcame a lot in her short life and actually inspires me to put my little problems in perspective and enjoy every minute. Interesting how a little dog can be such an inspiration.