Lucie was my first dog.  My parents got her for me when I was 14 years old.

Lucie was a "free" dog that my parents found in the paper.  She was 2 years old and the owner had to find another home for her due to a divorce.  The "free" dog ended up costing several hundred dollars within the first week because she had heartworms.

She was the coolest dog ever! Lucie was so smart and never did anything wrong.  We were a perfect match!   Lucie went to all of my softball games growing up, she went from apartment to apartment with me during college, and we finally ended up in Austin, TX, together.   Lucie was so patient and tolerated anything, including my fascination for Mastiffs toward the end!

Sadly, I had to let Lucie go 3/31/03. We were together for almost 1/2 of my life at that point! She had such severe arthritis and was suspected to have cancer.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about her.  I'm so thankful to have had her in my life.  I'm forever grateful to my wonderful parents for bringing her into our lives.