Our dog, Mercedes, died today. She was 12 1/2 years old. She was our first dog. Sheri and I bought her from a German Shepherd breeder when we lived in Tennessee (before Seminary.) I don't remember her mother's name, but do I remember her father's - Ace of Spades. I remember her father because he was very impressive - a huge, sable German Shepherd. Thus, Mercedes had good genes. And she demonstrated that fact well all of her life. She was smart, I usually say, "too smart for her own good." She was super easy to train. I think we had her housebroken after only one or two accidents. She picked up the game of fetch in just a couple attempts as well. And once she understood that I was the alpha male of the house, she would always come with my whistle. Mercedes was an excellent hunter. I've never kept a perfect tally, but here is the record of her kills: 1 rabbit, at least 4 squirrels, a couple of rats, 2 opossum, and one bird that I witnessed her jump up and grab in midair. Of course, she followed the instincts of her breed and always felt the need to herd something. Whenever she came inside, she would always check to see where all the cats where. I think she tried to herd the girls as well when they were just learning to walk. She was always protective of them and the whole family. She always kept watch - guarding the backyard in the four houses we called home during her lifetime. Mercedes was the epitome of loyalty and faithfulness. Whenever I was anywhere in the house or the yard, she was always right by my side.
During the past year, her health degenerated. As German Shepherds are prone to do, she developed severe arthritis and weakness in her hindquarters. She developed major problems with incontinence as well. In the last of her days, she was in quite a bit of pain. She lived a very long life by German Shepherd standards.
Goodbye Mercedes, our loyal friend. You will be missed.
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