Every now and then something magic happens.
This "magic" happened to Pat and I on Christmas 1990.
We wanted a puppy,
and Mom decided to surprise us with one.

Mom took us to the breeder to pick out a puppy.
As we pulled into the yard we saw two
little Rottie's playing in a playyard.
They were both adorable, but "Cleo" took a shine
to us immediately.
It was love at first site.

We took her home that night.
Thus began our lessons in Love, Loyalty
and Laughter.

From the very beginning she would
not be separated from us.
Everywhere we went, Cleo went too.
She went to barbeques, softball games,
family dinners and beach parties.

Rottie's have a reputation for being unfriendly,
but Cleo put this reputation to rest.

It wasn't long before Cleo was invited
to more places than we were.
She became a cherished member, not only
of our family, but of both our families as well.

Last January, Pat was wakened at five in morning
by the sound of her breathing.
She was gasping for breath.

We finally found an "all-night"
veternarian and together, with my brother
we rushed her to him, but it was
no use. She died on the way to the
hospital.

Cleo lived only eight short years.
But in those eight years she crammed
enough love to last for eternity.

We have another puppy now, another
Rottie. Her name is Scheherazade
"Shara for short". She helps to fill
the loneliness of the house and has
wormed her way into our hearts.

Shara is definitly not a Cleo, but she is learning.
She will never take Cleo's place,
but then that is not her fault, for no dog ever could.

Cleo we all still love and miss you.
You were one-of-a-kind, the
best dog that will ever strolled into our life.
We will always remember you and smile,
and thanks to you we will never be without
a dog in our lives again.

Rest easy Sweetheart, we'll see you again!
We send you all our love.

Pat and Lisa