My Sweet Little Claudia

by Ron Perkey
(New York City, NY. USA)

Where do I even begin! One day a neighbor asked that if I could do her a favor and drop off a check to the local pet center for she was too sick to make the drive. That afternoon I drove over and upon pulling in I noticed an older couple coming out with what looked like a large shaggy terrier of some sort. As I was getting out of my car the dog turned around and then literality about pulled down the elder lady to break free and came running to me as to say please don?t let me go with them. After taking her over to them and saying good bye I went inside the clerk said she had seen what happen and that I may not be looking but that I was chosen if she was brought back she was coming to my home. Another week or two went by then I received a call and was told that my girl was waiting to be picked up, I thought I am not looking for another pet but my gut said I had no choice. She came home to live several years with a cockatiel called Birdie, they took up so well that Birdie would climb down the cage then ride and lay around for sometimes hours on top of her head.

She was one of a kind no doubt taking her for training the first day as the instructor was explaining to the class how to get your pet to sit and so forth. Claudia I had already learned did not like to sit down in the grass of Florida. The instructor said you are not showing her who?s the boss and I needed to be more in control. He approached and as he explained to the class the reason for choker chains for training he pulled a little harder. Being the queen she was turned, looked up, and then jerked breaking the choker as to say how dare you! She came running to me, around me, and then politely sitting down on my right side. The trainer said good luck buddy in his 15 years of this never has happen.

With her major medical issue of Epilepsy though her seizures after treatment went few and far apart it always was a concern living on the water and having a pool she may fall in during one. One day this scare I thought had happen as I opened the door to let her back in I noticed she was soaked. For weeks I would never let her out unless I was there. One afternoon as I let her out was called to the phone I happen to looked out the door and noticed that she was running around the pool like crazy then came to the side of the steps, slowly walked down and took herself a little dip across the pool then back up the steps she came. From there on she was allowed to do it anytime.

After 13 wonderful years the vet explained that her blood levels were not good I needed to start getting prepared for the end. Six months later one afternoon I had stopped in to check up on her from work I came to her bedroom she raised her head from the pillow of many years as to say to me, daddy it?s time. I called the vet and said something is not right could they see me though the office about to close and over an hour away they said of course to bring her in. Claudia always rode in the front no matter how long the trip was sitting up like a perfect lady enjoing the views. So many times people would say I thought that was a human sitting there. This day she just laid there with her head on my lap with a slow quite whimper. About a block away from the clinic she suddenly rose up like normal sitting in her normal position. The vet came out as I was getting out and said let me help you but something said no that she did not want to look helpless. She gracefully stepped out walked over to her normal spot to pee and then into the office like nothing new. Of course I and the vet knew better we ran a couple test then he said it?s time for me to make that decision. Asked if she was in pain and she was not but that she would be lucky to go another a day or two before parts would shut down and then pain would set in. As hard as it was I knew and she did too. She made one last grand stand on the table after the shot to everyone?s amazement, turned to me giving her last kiss then laid down to go asleep for the last time. Even with her conditions, treatments, and special care needed I have no regrets to this day I miss her so much I still have her ashes and cry as I write this.

A year has about gone by I happen to get call from a friend that was told about a breeder which had lost everything due to the hurricanes in Florida and had 2 female sisters Chloe & Isabelle I named, about five months old which needed to find a good home. Long story short both have been with me now for 5 years they are my Claudia in so many ways, Chloe?s prissy walk and grandness and then Isabelle?s sweet caring gentleness. I find myself saying she came back to me but as two not one.

Thank you for allowing me to write this I feel as I close a soft touch coming from Isabelle as to say now it?s all ok. Attached is picture with Claudia four weeks before she left this world and Chloe with Isabelle nursing her on their first Christmas I hope you enjoy.

Ron Perkey