A tribute to Prince

Almost exactly 11 years ago,  after doing much research, we set out on a icy winter day to a town a few hours away.  With much anticipation, we picked out two Bichon puppies - one for our family and one for my parents, lovingly known as Naana and Pa in our house.  Naana and Pa named their puppy Prince and ours is Buddy.  These brothers have grown up close by each other and were always happy to see each other. 

Prince grew up very loved and very spoiled.  These are the things he loved:  licking Pa's plate after Pa was finished with it,  going to Sonic for Happy Hour or the cleaners or especially Petsmart,  sleeping in between Naana and Pa,  having company,  taking walks,  and kids.  When I would pull up to their house,  he would continue to look out the door to see if I had brought his brother, Buddy or the kids with me.  That's who he preferred.  He loved kids and would never snap at anyone.   
                                                         He also kept Naana fit as he always wanted to take a walk in the evenings.  He was usually a bit fluffier and softer than Buddy because most evenings he would sit on Pa's lap while Pa brushed him.  He went everywhere he could with Naana and Pa.  He was a great traveler.   When he couldn't go, he would stay with us where he would get to play with his brother and later Boo and Jack.  (It took awhile to get used to them.)  He was always a welcome part to our family. 

His downfall was dark chocolate.  One trip we took a few years ago, he got into our snack food, and ate a bunch  of dark chocolate.  He loved it, but it didn't love him.  We immediately took him to a vet.  They induced vomiting and saved his life but said he could suffer some consequences to this later in the form of pancreatitis.  Just a few months ago, it came on rather suddenly, and Prince became very sick.  He stayed overnight at the vet's receiving fluids and had blood work.  The vet said he had acute pancreatitis.  He survived that episode but seemed to go downhill.  He continued to lose weight and muscle and his vitality.  The vet said he was dying of liver failure, and just to take him home and love him.  Naana said they could spoil him anymore than they already do.  He made it through Christmas and continued to get love and be spoiled, but he passed away on their bed 2 nights ago.

They will really miss him and so will we.  Here is what Naana wrote about him:

And God said - You know, these little children in heaven need a little doggy to run and play with. And Jesus said - the Doty's have a sweet, white little dog that has been very sick for the last couple months, and the Vet says there's nothing else he can do for him. And he loves kids. So Jesus came to our house this evening and very lovingly picked up our 11 year old faithful forever friend, Prince, to take him to play with the children in heaven. We will miss him terribly.

RIP Prince.