Stoli was born in 1990 and lived to the age of 13. She passed away in March of 2004, less than two months before what would have been her 14th birthday. Up until the day she died she was extremely active and apparently healthy, and the discovery that she had cancer (hemangiosarcoma) was a huge shock.
Stoli came to live with me when she was 4.5 years old. She was previously owned by my cousin, Noel Ramsey, who was gracious enough to let me have Stoli after retiring her from the breed ring and her first litter of puppies. Stoli and I took a beginner obedience course in Indianapolis and the rest as they say is history. Stoli earned her CD, UCD, and CDX, with some moments of brillance and others that left me laughing (and crying once or twice too!). Stoli was the smartest dog I have ever owned and knew how to open the refrigerator, her crate, and turn door knobs. She was always making some kind of a noise-- the Sammy roo-roo, whining, or squeaking a toy. She liked to go for walks, supervised all yard work, and loved to be scratched under her armpits. She was an excellent introduction to "big dogs" for the papillons and Piper in particular adored her (he still goes nuts when he spots a Samoyed and always reacts when I say her name). There is no day that passes that I don't think about Stoli; she was an exceptional friend who is very much missed. |
