R.I.P. shanna marie newton 1/7/95 - 9/20/2005


the first day we saw her all the dogs in the shop were barking but she watched us with intent. we asked to hold her. the man handed the 8lbs sheppard/lab mutt to my dad. she immediately clawed his nose. he handed her to mom and got a paper towel for his nose. she curled up under mom's chin and fell asleep. there she stayed 'till we got her home. (the only time mom ever traveled in the van without being the driver)

she understood more english than we ever taught her, it even seemed as if she knew tense. she made an impression on everyone she met. people who didn't like dogs fell in love with her. anytime i was feeling down or sick she was there, with that knowing look in her eye.

she got sick today, by the end of work she couldn't stand on her own. dad took her to the vet, x-rays and blood tests found hundreds of tumors in her lungs. she didn't have any symptoms until today so it's clear she didn't suffer but for some sickness today.

we went back to the vet to say goodbye, spent a few minutes with her and they gave her the shot. she layed her head down and fell asleep. she was calm, she seemed to know.

she would have been eleven years old this january.