It’s always hard when we learn things the hard way, and it takes a lot of courage to share those things. Everyone knows I make my share of mistakes and I try to share them so others don’t repeat them. Here is just another lesson in check twice, last week we shared holiday warnings about dangerous foods and things that can be left around, and tonight’s message again comes from tragedy that we can avoid with some caution

As most of you know, we are a dog loving family.  We have had our share of loving pets but none like the Dobermans we have owned.  Our daughter, Melissa, owed a two year old female Doberman, until tonight.  Upon coming home from work, she let the dogs out - a Doberman and a Great Dane. Unknown to her, the wind had opened the gate and the dogs got loose.  A neighbor came by and knocked on her door informing her that her dog was hit by a car.  Skylar was still breathing when she arrived but later died at the vet hospital.   The driver of the car never stopped. 

Our Doberman, Zeus, not of the same litter, was very anxious tonight.  He wanted to go outside.  When he did, he laid on the grass and looked up at me.  Did he sense something was wrong?  Zeus met and played with Skylar several times.  He did not want to go back inside.  When we finally went inside , Pam was on the phone with Melissa.  I knew something was wrong.

Please don't take the little things for granted.  Check twice, just to make sure.  Don't let tragedy like this happen to your loved one.

I know I am guilt of the same things, just moments ago I let Echo out in the rear yard and it is dark and cold, and it is far easier to just open the back door then to walk clear around the house and check the gate that I know I closed last night, but who knows what could have happened since then? I am going to start putting locks on my gates so they could never be opened except by me, and then no one could let the dogs out by accident either.

Just another quick update, we will be down in phoenix for another schutzhund trial November 30^th through December 2^nd if any of our AZ folks would like to get together again, it sure would be nice to see the Leslie family’s pup and how she has turned out!

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