March 4, 1997 – May 15, 2007
(Photo taken 5/15/07)
When trying to come up with something to say about the last 10 years of knowing my boy Cadence I thought about all the things we did together…he was both my companion and also a colleague in my training business (even my company is named after him and his “sister” Cayenne). I want to celebrate his life, though even in death he was brave and courageous and proud.
Besides being handsome with natural ears (Cadence was on the cover of six Schnauzer calendars in the last six years and also in other places such as Dog Fancy magazine), Cadence was truly a “working” dog. I introduced him to therapy work (he visited weekly for the last 8 ½ years at the Virginia Hospital Center’s psychiatric ward with his “sister” Cayenne). I also taught him to be a demo dog for my various obedience classes and private behavioral consultations, including how to allow people to use him as a “practice dog” for classes in Pet First Aid. On the other hand, Cadence introduced me to many new and exciting activities: show handling; lure coursing; sheep herding; rally obedience; cadaver search work; agility; and free-style dance.
But life was not all work. Cadence knew how to enjoy himself. He loved Frosty Paws; car rides; sitting on the balcony watching people go by; having parties with lots of people and dogs, chewing his toys and dissecting them. He loved visiting his “aunt” Mary Ann, especially at Christmas and loved going to his “godmother” Judy’s. He enjoyed visiting with his SS friends Dixie and Casey and swimming and running free on the farm of his Labrador friends Rudy & Buddy. He always looked forward to going with them to their place on the river where he loved to ride on jet skis!! Most importantly, at the end of the day he liked “A bit of a cuddle”.
Since his death I found a bio that I wrote when Cadence was just a pup. These words were true then and they are still true 10 years later and they sum up who my boy was:
“Cadence has boundless energy and a heart of gold. Each day he is happy to be alive and he acts as if he hasn’t a care in the world. This love of life and happiness is contagious. When I look at him, I smile. He gives new meaning to the Aussie expression “Being on a walk-a-bout”. Cadence is on a permanent one!”
Cadence, you were so filled with love for many and you were so loved by many in return. You will be sorely missed.
Forever… Carole & Cayenne
