My Beloved Sophie                                   by Tammy Harris

January 1998 – August 2008

Sophie was a Valentine gift from my husband.  I had another Dachshund at the time, Annie, who was 13.  Annie was precious to me also but Sophie was something special from the first day we brought her home.  A bond developed between us that is indescribable.  I’d had Dachshunds since I was six years old.  But Sophie just seemed to be a special little girl.  She slept with me from the first night.  I cannot convey the love we shared.  She knew my thoughts before I spoke them.  She was so affectionate and loving.  She was friendly to everyone and enjoyed people but I always knew that I was her special person.  Sophie taught me more about love, joy, happiness and life than any human I have ever known.  Each day was indeed a pleasure with her.  I began working from home shortly after I got her so I got to be with her more than any dog I’d ever owned and we spent every day together.  She had a wonderful personality.  She was spunky and funny.  She would do so many things that made me laugh.  She had a lot of habits that were quite unique and quirky, like flicking her food bowl around with her nose to arrange the dog food just so before she would eat it.  Everyone that ever saw her do would ask “What is she doing? Look at that!”

I would tell everyone about her and I carried photos of her all the time.  Every few weeks I would have a new photo to show my friends.  Anyone who knows me knew Sophie too.  Her death was sudden and unexpected.  She developed a brain tumor and showed no signs or symptoms of illness until the last week of her life.  I would have given anything to have saved her but I know that she knows how dear and precious she was to me.  While these words really do not do her life justice, anyone who has loved a pet will know what I feel.  I still cry for her.  My home was so empty without her.  It was the worst day of my life to lose her.  I will love her until I die. Sophie was that special little critter that entered my heart and soul and I will never be the same.  I am a much better person for having loved her.  I developed more compassion for everyone because of her.  Her innocence and purity made me realize how we as humans, must have compassion and understanding for others because we do not know their life circumstances.  My dear little Sophie I will see you again one day and we will snuggle, snuggle, snuggle.

Pet Parents:  Tammy & Steve Harris, Bossier City, LA