Biffy came into my life at the age of 7 weeks. She was the only black female in the litter and was also the runt. I picked her up and never put her down. I did not realize it at the time, but she came from a backyard breeder. Biffy was my first dog, and she will always be extremely special to me. Biffy was only 1.4 lbs. when we brought her home that day in 2001 (I was married at the time and her Papa visited her for several years after our marriage ended. Biffy loved to see her Papa.)
Biffy had not been getting enough to eat, so right away she had to go on a chicken/rice diet. From then on, we always put chicken on top of her dry food! We would cook chicken breasts and chop them up weekly for Biffy. Biffy loved to eat. At her heaviest, she was 11 lbs.! She was a Maltese/Miniature Schnauzer mix and absolutely adorable. When out walking her, people would stop their cars to look at her and smile. She was loved by the neighborhood. My neighbors were there when she came home and was named “Biffy” (her Papa came up with the name!) and they were there at the end on May 21, 2016, when Dr. Katie came to the house. The neighbors were sad to see Biffy go too. She was a month away from turning 15 years old.
Biffy’s favorite toy was her black ball. When she attended puppy kindergarten class, we were supposed to teach her something, so we tried to teach her how to fetch. The black ball was her favorite to the very end.
Biffy was very small but she controlled the neighborhood and the park. She barked at large dogs and protected me from anyone passing by the house. Biffy was a cuddler too, and slept with me from the very first night.
As I mentioned, Biffy loved to eat. One of her favorites was cauliflower — raw or cooked! She would chase me down for cauliflower! She loved treats and Dingos.
She proudly wore her winter coat as we trudged along in the snow. She was a tough little girl. Biffy also had some tough surgeries over the years. The first one was removing her ruptured anal glands (poor thing) and then she had both of her knees done at the age of 6 to repair her patellas. I carried her outside and held her in a sling to do her business and had to crate her for awhile which was very difficult to do. But she recovered very well. I can still remember the specialty vet’s office saying over the speakers, “Biffy is here for her appointment.”
I feel like I did not get to say goodbye to Biffy enough. I was in the process of selling my house and had painters over the day Dr. Katie came. But it was very peaceful in our home and in my bedroom. Biffy and her little sister that I adopted from a puppy mill, Amelia, were on the bed. I got on the bed too. Dr. Katie brought a can of Cheez Whiz with her which was ideal for Biffy. The last thing Biffy was doing was snacking on treats with Cheez Whiz. I try to think of that often when I get sad. It was the perfect way for Biffy to cross Rainbow Bridge. We made the clay pawprint and I have that and her black ball and pictures on my dresser. I think of Biffy daily and really miss her.
Last week I adopted another puppy mill rescue to keep Amelia company. Luckily I understand that no future dog that comes into my life will ever take the place of Biffy. Biffy was a very special little girl and she will always hold a special place in my heart. Have fun in puppy heaven Biffy! Love, your Mama.
From: Jane Ames
Madison, WI