Heidi was meant to be our baby girl from the moment we saw her at the Toronto Humane Society. First I went and picked her out from a litter of pups.Than I took my wife and she picked out the same pup...or should I say Heidi...that is the name we chose...picked us out...I am a Professional photographer...and from the first day we brought her home at age 6 weeks...she became my special little model. How do we describe Heidi.Well she was a kind gentle soul, so very loving, intuituve and playful. Heidi became our big little girl...meaning she grew up to be a 60 pound Beagle...at least that was what we were told she was...I would say she was part collie and retriever...she may have been big...but she retained her puppy nature as an adult.That is why no one could not help but love her from the moment you met her. She meant the world to my wife and I.We often thought what will we ever do when the day comes that we do not have her...never knowing how soon that horrific day would arrive! Heidi had just turned 8 on September 4th 2004.On Sunday September 26 2004 she suddenly started to lose her appetite and would vomit.We took her to the doctors on Tuesday September 28..she was examined, nothing appeared to be seriously wrong, we returned with Heidi the next day to be prescribed antibiotics, only to return on Thursday for blood work and to be informed that our sweet little baby was suffering from acute kidney failure...her body was shutting down fast.After an evening at the vets trying to keep medicine in her intravenously( with no luck)..we picked Heidi up at noon on Friday October 1 2004...took her home to ly in her backyard and listen to the birds and watch the squirrels play (she used to love and try to chase them up the tree}and listen to her big sister Sadie, our older english cocker spanial sing to her. She barely had the strength to stand or pee. We came in the house at 5 P.M. and got her a blanket and cuddled with her on the couch. As it started to get dark, we lit some candles and dimmed the lights and put on some quiet acoustical piano music by Howard Jones. Heidi would follow me around the room with her eyes...and we would keep her lips moistened with ice cubes and my wife Arlene would pat her face. At 7:30, Heidi managed to find the strength to give me a little kiss...and at 7:35 P.M. at the exact final note of Howard's song that he wrote for his daughter..."Mila's Sleep Time:..Heidi took her last breath and passed away in her daddy's arms.Our little girl was gone.My God...WHY? Heidi has been terribly missed by my wife and I and Sadie Sue. We cry for her every day...and ask over and over why did God take her at such a young age..Just a week before she was playing, and running and so very happy. Heidi did what she knew she had to do...she took her last breath on her own...rather than having Mommy and Daddy make that decision. Heidi...we miss you so much and are so blessed we had your love for the time we did. We will all be together again when we meet on " Rainbow Bridge" Sweet baby girl...you are always in our hearts. Thank you for all your unconditional love. You were and are our Best Friend. Love Mommy, Daddy and Sadie Sue It has been just over 5 months now since we lost our Baby. Many days pass and still shed tears . We created a wonderful DVD slide show with all the wonderful photos I took of Heidi. We also put together a beautiful album with all her photos. Heidi was cremated and we made a wonderful shrine in our living room display case with her ashes in a beautiful urn, some photos, her favorite toy and a few locks of her fur. She is always with us. She lives on in our hearts with all the wonderful memories of our time together. Heidi.. Baby Girl..we miss you so much.