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Shipperke 'Skippy' |
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This is an odd story, but its true.
 I had a dear friend, June, who was a disabled single lady, and she
became an honorary Aunt to my kids. When her terrier died, June came
to hear of a Schipperke whose breeder was thinking of having him put
down because he was born with only 3 legs. June said she would have
him, and they were happy together for several years. She and I used
to visit each other a lot, and I used to have him when she was
hospitalised, so he knew me well.
 One evening June had to go to hospital, but we dragged out the evening
by giggling over cups of tea and me packing her bag. When we agreed
the time was right, I called the ambulance. Skippy went berserk and
bit my foot hard. We had to shut him in the kitchen. For half an
hour, he barked and barked. When he stopped, I let him out and he ran
around looking for June. Then he went upstairs and stayed there for 5
min or so, then came down slowly with his head hanging. I told him he
was coming home with me, and I left a note on the door for June’s
carer.
 The carer phoned me early the next morning. June had had an
unexpected cardiac arrest half an hour after she left in the ambulance
– exactly the same amount of time he was barking. When I went back to
collect his blankets and bowls, he stayed outside and would not go
back in the house even though I left the front door open. To this day
he is uneasy if he can’t see me, and I wonder if he thinks if he can’t
see me I might not come back, like June.
 From living a quiet life with June, he came to a house full of noise
and teens. When Kate got married and had a baby, Skippy took it upon
himself to watch over the child. There is a photo of him offering
Wendy his favourite toy. She has since had another child, and he
loves playing with them, and is always in the thick of their games.
 After a bull terrier attacked him while he was peaceably sitting on my
scooter, he is afraid of dogs. The bull terrier had him around the
throat and it took forever to make it let go. It was terrifying.
Luckily no real harm was done. He loves cats, and often sleeps with
my big black tom cat, Jack.
When we are in town, lots of people talk to him. Especially people
with learning difficulties, and elderly people who remember the love
of their old dogs and who miss them.
He is a pretty dog who smiles and is friendly, and looks cute riding
around on my scooter. He is getting on in years now and he is loved
very much.
Sue
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