I have just learned of the death of my friend, Doris Rossini. She died in August of this year, not long after we spoke on the phone. We laughed together about our trials living dependent upon our walkers, and we cried over the dogs we loved. We agreed that our worst worry was that we should die before our dogs but were both relieved that our last dogs had died before us – much as we miss them. We agreed we were too old to take on a new puppy- much as we would like to have a dog in the house again. Our dogs were litter mates. Lyric was hers and Lanz was mine.
I found Doris obituary this morning. I had been wondering why she had not called to let me know she had received my new book My Love Affair with German Shepherd Dogs . I had written about her kindness and generosity over the years from the time we first met, and I bought a German Shepherd puppy from her. She helped me with breeding and showing Zehren and sent me a puppy “free of charge” as a gift. I was always embarrassed that I had to sell her Lyric, but she never held it against me.
Doris was the owner of West Wind Dog Boarding Kennels in Ontario, California in addition to breeding and exhibiting German Shepherd Dogs.
How I wish my book had come out before she died. I would have liked her to see her name in print and be glad that I mentioned her generous nature over the years.
Doris, if you can hear me, you were a great friend and “relative by dog.” I will miss you.