Pennee Lane

Jan 17, 1995 – Sept 27, 2008

 Pennee Lane came to me in February 1996, abused, broken and without the will to live. She was brought to me by my Aunt who lives in Kentucky and had one of her cousins. Living in a small town in a “holler” in Kentucky affords you the privilege to know everyone, including the animal control officer. She had just picked up Pennee, after a neighbor’s complaint brought her to a trailer, where Pennee was tied up with a rope around her neck tied to a cinder block. She had been burnt from the neck to the base of her tail, with what, I don’t know. A mother dog living wild, had tried to take care of her but gave her mange in her wounds. Her ear had a human bite mark and she had a broken rib that was healing. Before animal control had her euthanized, she called my aunt and asked her if she knew anyone who wanted a sickly little poodle. So my aunt drove her to my home in Virginia and thus the bond between me and the best friend I ever had began.

Pennee died in my arms the night she was brought to me. I was terrified of the mouth to snout and my prayers were answered when she yelped and started to cling to me. I promised her if she hung on until Monday, I would make her better and no one would ever hurt her again. My husband insisted on calling her “short time” and making fun of her ill appearance. I finally got mad and told him that Pennee would be there long after he was gone.

Two years later, he was gone and she was there for me every time I needed someone to talk to. She licked my tears and would literally smile at me. During her time with me, she was my ever present shadow. She was so smart, bringing momma a tissue, getting money out of my purse for the ice cream man, dancing her pirouettes to Smokey Robinson’s “My Girl” and to her namesake, The Beatles’ “Penny Lane”.  I taught her to sit, and roll over and lay down and crawl like an Army Ranger. No one has ever been so loyal to me.

I spoiled her the best ways I could. She ate off of fine china and silver, much to my mother-in-law’s dismay, she opened her own presents, she wore necklaces, not collars, and understood completely that dog-dogs walked around on leashes with their mommies while poodles got carried. She got along great with my cats and gave them kisses whenever they got close.

In 2006, my darling got sick … really sick with Cushing’s disease. Her beautiful white fur fell out, after we had so diligently worked with the vet in her early days to grow her fur back. She lost her girlish figure and started to look like a pot bellied pig. Her energy level was nonexistent. Her heart became so enlarged that it was too risky to do any treatment on her Cushing’s.

So I prepared for the inevitable. I took her everywhere I went … I loved on her every second I could. We went bye bye and played with her ball until she just got too weak. I prayed, I prayed so hard to our Father in Heaven to please spare me that awful decision when she needed me to help her go. I reasoned with God, “She is such a good girl, she is my best friend, and I have been a good momma. I took care of her and loved her the way you said we should love each other. Please, just let her lay down to go to sleep and just not wake up. Please dear God, please.”

So on that day in September, while I was driving my husband’s new car around the block, and she napped, she went to the Rainbow Bridge. I was gone no more than 15 minutes … I was shocked and broken hearted. But I knew God heard my prayer and He gave me what I asked for, for both of us.

I know when my time comes, by best friend, my beloved little girl Pennee Rachel Lane will be waiting for me.

Rest in peace my precious little one. You were the best friend anyone ever had. Momma loves you and will see you again one day soon.