Lotte

"Lotte" was our family dog. We got her as a puppy when I was five years old. She was a mixture of at least five breeds and looked very funny. Once when we were walking in the woods a couple walked by and the young man was trying to fool his girlfriend by telling her that "Lotte" was an Australian Kangaroo Dog. When his grilfriend didnīt believe him my dad came to his support and confirmed his opinion. From then on our mutt was the first one of a new breed.

My dad never trained her and she even took posession of his favorite leather couch. To this day this old, dirty couch full of scratches is her place and we still call it "Lotteīs chair". We still use it.

Ten years ago we had to put "Lotte" to sleep because of a brain tumor. My dad and I walked home from the vets office in the pouring rain without using the umbrella we had brought along. We cried the whole way. We never got another dog because my sister had meanwhile become allergic to all animals, but at the end of this year I will get my licensure as a veterinarian.

Iīm sure that "Lotte" plays a major role in my decision for this profession. I still have a picture of her on my desk. I hope that a place in DogStar will give her the special rememberance she deserves.

Elinor