Story submitted 2024-08-31

Tipper came into our lives about three years old through the aid of DRNA and foster Mom Judy W from Tidewater Virginia. She had been returned from several potential adopters without substantial reasons. We eventually learned why but we'd been told that if she didn't work out with us, it was very likely she'd be euthanized. After a month with us, she started some serious biting/nipping. I tried everything I could to have her bond with me, but she wasn't having it. After three months, my partner retired....at home much of the time and Tipper bonded with him. He could do things with her that I wouldn't have thought of doing. Once we all adapted to each other, we all got along very well, except those times you had to bathe her, give medicine.....you know, things she had absolutely no interest in whatsoever. About two years later, Tipper (on the left) found a new puppy (Chloe, on right) in the house. They became buddies and Chloe taught her how to play and have some fun. Both became dependent on each other and total running buddies. For them, it became "Strength in numbers"!!!

James and Tipper coexisted in harmony for about ten years (Tipper now 13) and her behavior started changing and her health began to decline after being diagnosed with a heart murmur. The murmur progressively worsened, causing her to develop an enlarged heart/congestive HF. She did well with medication for approximately two years and began to decline. On August 8th of 2023, she experienced her last hypoxic event and passed thirty minutes later, being held in James' arms during that last half hour.

Tipper wasn't what I'd expected, but I wouldn't have been able to return her suspecting her demise was right around the corner... I would have felt guilty over that. But we grew to love her and do whatever was necessary to keep her healthy, safe and alive. And, surprisingly, she aged to 16 years, 8 months. We miss her presence and her spirit. She had spunk!!

R.I.P. TIPP!!