It was over five years ago when my wife called me and told me about a
Doberman that someone had brought in to the veterinary clinic where she
worked.  We didn't really need another dog, but  I drove to the clinic to see
her anyway.  Jess, my wife, told me the dog's story.  She had had a rough life
being rescued a few years before only to be stuck in a warehouse in
Kalamazoo, MI, in the same town we live.  She was put there with a Chow
to scare away cats and rodents.  She lived there until, for unknown reasons,
her owner went to jail.
Lady and the Chow were removed from the warehouse and unless they found a new home they were going
to be put to sleep.  Family of the owner took the chow, but the Doberman was on her own.  Her name was
Lady. She was eight years old and had been born with both of her front legs crippled.  Lady's chances for
adoption were slim.  When I met Lady it was obvious that she had difficulty getting around.  I asked my wife
if she thought she was in a lot of pain,  but she said Lady didn't appear to be, it was just awkward walking on
her front legs.  I thought to myself that this dog had made it eight years and  deserved the right to finish out
her life.  We decided to take Lady home and give her the best life we could.

We already had a Shepard mix named Lodi, two cats, and a pot bellied pig named
Bean.  Lady fit in pretty well with everybody.  She liked Lodi but didn't care too much
for the cats or Bean, but as long as they kept their distance she didn't bother them.  
Lady had a handicap but it didn't take long to understand that she wasn't going to let
anything slow her down.  To our amazement Lady could run and run pretty fast.  
Lady and Lodi would play in the back yard and chase each other just like normal.  We
took them for walks at the park and before long Lady was a normal part of our
everyday life.


Time went on and Lady got older.  She began to slow down, not able to run very well anymore but still had
that same drive to go on walks and play.  As Lady aged she developed many medical conditions like allergies,
Horner's Syndrome, which affected her right eye, mammary lumps that were thought to be cancer,  muscle
Atrophy, and a heart murmur among some of the more serious problems that occurred.  It was clear however
that none of this was going to stop Lady.  As time went on I noticed that she was having more and more
trouble walking on pavement.  I looked at the bottom of her feet and because her legs were crippled she
walked on the sides of her feet.  This wore out her pads and skin around the pads and they had become sore.  I
found a pair of booties at the pet store and put them on Lady.  She started to walk and to my surprise it was
like I had given her a new pair of feet.  She was now able to get around better and the pavement no longer
bothered her.

Things changed at my job and I was left with the opportunity to start my own business.  I am a boat mechanic
so I started my own mobile marine repair service.  Getting started I realized that it was lonely always being on
my own so one day I decided to take Lady on one of my repair jobs.  It took her about 30 seconds to fit into her
new role and from then on she was my sidekick.  She was so good following me every where I went always
watching for me and just hanging out.  Must of my jobs were on the water so she would lay on the shore and
sun herself waiting for me to finish the job and move on to the next adventure.  We also developed the bad
habit of eating McDonald's cheeseburgers everyday, her favorite food in the world.  Lady moved slow  
everywhere she went, so my wife and I coined the phrase "Lady Time".  I was always in a hurry to get from
one job to the next passing up all the small and beautiful things that were nature and just life itself.  Lady
forced me to slow down and see the little things that made life what it was intended to be, enjoyable.  I began
taking Lady on my transport trips.  We went everywhere together.  Lady had been to over fourteen different
lakes in Michigan.  Soon she had been to Boston, Plymouth, and Marble Head Massachusetts, all on different
trips.  She also made it to Niagara Falls and the waterfront of downtown Chicago.  

Through her travels Lady had met so many people and had so many friends.  Lady met people that weren't
dog people but were still intrigued and interested in her.  Everywhere we went total strangers would talk to
Lady and pet her and all would be left with a smile on there face.  I soon realized that Lady and I were on a
mission and I didn't even know it.  Lady was a messenger of hope and I was her vehicle.  It was Lady's job to
let people know that their is hope and that nothing can slow us down unless we let it.  Her love for life was
infectious.  Her drive to go out everyday and share her message with people was unforgettable even towards
the end of her life when it became harder and harder for her to walk.  Lady was a perfect example of what
ones spirit and will can accomplish.  If you were one of the lucky ones to have met Lady then you know
exactly what I mean.  

Lady's death was as amazing as was her life.  I never wanted to have to make the decision to put Lady to sleep.
 Lady had given me so much through her life; happiness, hope, strength, and a smile.  She also gave the gift of
not having to make that decision.  That is how special she really was.  Lady woke up that morning not feeling
good but moving around.  I took Lady to Burger King and got her a sausage biscuit, our last meal together.  As
the day went on Lady became weaker.  I put her in the house so she could rest.  As the evening came she was
not eating and would not walk.  We took her to my wifes work  and the amazing doctor that Jess works for
took a look a Lady.  She told me that Lady's heart condition was not good, her allergies were acting up very
bad, and that she was very weak.  I didn't want to make that decision but didn't want Lady to suffer.  On the
examining table Lady laid there and looked up at me as to say I will be ok no matter what.  The doctor gave
her some medicine for her allergies and put her on fluids to help bring up her strength.  We took Lady home.  
Our other dogs were abnormally calm and seemed to know that Lady was not feeling good.  I stayed up with
Lady that night to watch her and her i.v.  Lady had gotten better and her breathing was normal.  She seemed
to be gathering strength.   I had fallen asleep for little while and at 2:30am Lady woke me up.  She layed up
against our bedroom wall and began breathing heavy.  My wife called the doctor.  Lady's breathing became
very labored and the doctor was on the way.  I layed down in front of Lady and put a pillow under her head.  
She laid there staring at me and I stared at her.  I pet her side and could feel her heart slowing down.  I told
her that she did a good job and she didn't have to work anymore.  I told her it was time for her to rest and that
I loved her very much.  I stared into her eyes.  I saw a tear run out of her eye and it was then that  I know she
understood what I was saying.  Seconds later Lady took her last deep breathe and I felt her heart stop.  I kissed
her on the cheek and told her I loved her very much and said good bye to my best friend.

I have never in my life felt pain like I felt when Lady passed.  Everyday is hard to continue on normal.  I just
try to keep everyday on Lady Time and enjoy life like Lady did.  Lady is still the messenger and I am still her
vehicle.  I will continue to spread Lady's message of hope by sharing her story, but I know I'll never do as good
a job as she did while she was here.  That was her purpose.  Lady was 13 years old when she died.  Most
people didn't think she would live that long.  It just goes to show you that life can be so much better and so
much longer when your on "Lady Time".