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Chance came to us from the TLC Eskie rescue in Columbus, OH as a companion to Holly and our Eskie Muff who passed away in March of 07.

We thought Chance would add some excitement to the lives of Holly and Muff. Muff was diagnosed in 2005 with an inoperable spinal disease that ended up with her losing the lost of her rear legs. Her spirit was wonderful as she adapted to her disability with our help.

Chance did bring a new attitude to the house and to Muff in particular. Her spirits picked up as they became pals. Muff finally passed on March 26 of 2007 from heart failure and with her lungs filling with fluid.

Chance did make a difference in Muff's last year of life and we will always be thankful to him for that.

This guy is a master at chilling out and at the same time challenging Sugar to a rough and tumble play time.

He will end up in your lap, all 30 pounds of him, at the least hint of an invitation.

He started as a momma's boy but is now a master at playing both sides of the coin.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

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Muff was our first Eskie and she left us for the Rainbow Bridge on March 26, 2007.

She was a stray at the local dog pound and not yet a year old. Our terrier Holly had just lost her Dauschund buddie Kassie to old age.

Dad was at the dog pound on business and left the driver door of his car open and this little Eskie slipped her collar as she was being exercised and jumped into the driver's seat. She would not get out and they had a heck of time getting her back inside. She just wanted to go home with dad.

Dad went home and told Mom about it that night and she wasn't convinced Holly needed a friend. After Dad talked the pound into "loaning" her ( the puppie not Mom) out for the weekend Mom decided she would give it a try.

Muff, as we named her, never left her forever home from that weekend on.

Muff and Dad became joined at the hip and he spoiled her rotten. She loved the beach and playing in the surf almost as much as she loved making snow angels. She and Holly traveled all over the U.S. for five years after dad retired in 1997. They were full time RV puppies for those years before mom and dad came back to a permanent home in 2002.

When she was diagnosed with an inoperable spinal disease in 2005 they bonded even closer. She soon lost the use of her legs and both Mom and Dad helped her get around but she still could scoot across a room using her strong front legs at a speed that was amazing.

She had a wheelchair for walks outside, it was a custom build cart that kept her legs up and allowed her to pull herself with her front legs.

In 2006 the disease caused her to loose control of her bowels and bladder, but no problem. She had pants that held disposable pads and then her Mom made her a bunch of them to celebrate holidays and the seasons. She was always in fashion !

With Chance's arrival in March of 2006 her spirits got even better as she now had an Eskie buddy.

Without warning Muff suddenly took a turn for the worst on March 25, 2007 and by Monday the 26th she couldn't lay down and was obviously in pain. We hurried her to the vet who kept her and medicated her so the pain in her heart was less and allowed her to lay down. Dad went to meet with the vet that afternoon and found out that there was nothing had could be done for her. She had a rapidly failing heart and her lungs were filling with fluid.

Muff passed away in dad's arms at the vets. Her ashes and memories of her are in a special memory box on a shelf in the family room along with a photo album depicting her all to short life.

Needless to say Muff is sadly missed and Sugar will not replace her in any way, but will serve as a reminder to just how much we loved our first Eskie. Muff was a special Eskie but Chance, Sugar and their sister Holly, an honorable Eskie, are loved just as much.

The term "Heart Bandits" is an absolute truth.

We are comforted by the fact that she is in the fields at the Rainbow Bridge and able to run again on four good legs and bark all she wants.

We will be forever greatful to Muff who introduced us to the Eskie and the amazing love that Eskies are capable of giving. To love an Eskie is to be loved back many times over.

Muff, we love you and miss you!

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

This is a tribute to all the girls who have graced our lives the last 40 + years and have gone to the Rainbow Bridge .

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                                  GEORGI

Georgi, the stray that was the first to steal our hearts. She brought a ton of joy to a young married couple.

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                                MUGGS

Muggs, a little black sister to Georgi, named for her human grandmother. She and Georgi would plot mischief like you would never believe.

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                                   MOP

Mop, a black and white ball of hair.The cockapoo that stole our youngest son's heart as well as ours. A blood disease took her before her time.

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                                  KASSIE

Kassie, the dachshund who had a heart of gold and a will to live that was amazing. Her systems finally wore out in her old age but not before she survived surgeries for a blown disc and cancer of the eye. The cancer surgery left her with only one eye.

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                                  MUFF

Muff, the charming Eskie that stole dad's heart quicker and deeper than any of the girls who preceeded her. There was something extra special here between those two. Muff , being the first Eskie, taught us the meaning of an Ekie's great capacity for unselfish love.

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All of our kids have lead long lives and brought us joys beyond measurement.

                  WE MISS THEM ONE AND ALL.

We know they are playing at the bridge and waiting for someone to pick them all up.We are sure they know each other and spend a lot of time swapping family stories.

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."