A Blessed, Forever Memory: Saige "Minnie" Scott

I wanted to share my story about Saige, whom I adopted back from Doberman Rescue of Nebraska in 1999.

I was looking for a sister to my 1-year old Doberman, Syren D'Laney, and turned to Doberman Rescue to find a suitable sister.

I looked at a few foster dogs, taking Syren to meet every one of them and couldn't find a fit. Alice had told me about a doberman rescued out of Des Monies, Iowa. Her name was "Jo". I don't remember all the details of her rescue story; I think with good reason, because it became a part of her past that I would never want her to remember.

Saige came into our lives and changed our world. She and Syren got along great and soon, she became Syren's "Minnie Me", and adopted the nickname Minnie, which stuck. They were the best of sisters and the very best of friends. They shared the same birthday and had a party every year. They enjoyed wrestling matches in the living room and LOVED the snow. They chased each other around the yard and shared toys, treats, and food. They loved each other from the start.

The day we lost Syren, was a day I'd never forget. It was sudden and quick; but I swear, to this day, Syren and Minnie knew. Just before I went to pick Syren up from the yard to take her to the Animal Hospital, Minnie ran over, kissed the side of her face, and said goodbye. I will never forget it.

Minnie got me through Syren's passing and comforted me every step of the way. I never could have made it through the sorrow and loss without Minnie by my side.

After a few months past, I started to look for a companion for Minnie. Minnie, although approaching 10-years old, always acted like a puppy. She had endless energy; loved her walks; loved to run; and loved to play. A soft-coated Wheaten Terrier, we would call Dolce D'Laney, would come into our world and Minnie loved it! It was hard to tell who was the 10-year old and who was the 1-year old puppy. They became fast friends and loving sisters.

Minnie started getting a cough a few weeks ago. Concerned, I took her to the vet and they couldn't quite determine what it was. It started with allergies, then a bronchitis, but medicine seemed to be taking hold and I thought she was on the road to recovery.

I came home last Friday and Minnie wasn't right. She was shaking, weak, and lethargic. I immediately rushed her to the vet. I was told she was going into shock. A fast X-Ray found a large football sized tumor in her stomach. They thought it might be attached to her spleen. There was no way to tell if it was cancer or had attached to any other organs unless they went in. They felt Minnie was strong enough and could withstand it without question. I didn't hesitate. I had them do the surgery.

Surgery went well and there was good news all around. It was attached to just the spleen and everything else appeared fine. The spleen had burst and caused quite a bit of internal bleeding, almost a pint of blood in her stomach, which was why she was suffering from anemia and shock. But, she was stitched up and put back on the road to recovery. It would be about a week until we found out what the mass consisted of.

Minnie came out of surgery great. She was strong; she was a survivor from the beginning; and I have no doubt that Minnie kept that strength for me. But, the Wednesday following the surgery, Minnie went back into shock. She was shaking again, pale gums, and I immediately took her back to the hospital at 4am. I stayed by her side as the morphine made her feel a little better. She was going to be stabilized and see if some fluids would help bring her back around.

We stepped away for a few minutes as they prepared her for transport to our Vet. The doctor came out and said her breathing was slowing, along with her heart rate.

I went in to see her and my little Minnie looked at me with her beautiful brown eyes. Her eyes that normally showed me happiness and love, were tired. She was tired and without words, I knew. I knew that she had tried the best she could and she was strong for me. With a heavy heart, I let Minnie go be with her sister that morning.

The two dobermans in my life were amazing. They taught me so much about life and love, I can't even being to describe it.

I wanted to thank you for rescuing Minnie and bringing her to Nebraska. She changed my life. She touched my heart and soul forever. SHE rescued ME. That I am so sure of. I will never forget her and I miss her every day.