Once upon a time, there was a woman who loved terriers, in fact, she always
thought of herself as a terrier woman. She decided many years ago that her
next terrier would be a Jack Russell and it would come from a breeder who she
and her husband had known for years. The terrier woman told the breeder exactly what she wanted and when she had this pup, to give the terrier woman a call.

A few years after their conversation the then Parson Russell breeder called
the terrier woman and said that she thought she had the pup for her. The
pictures that came over the Internet were of three little girl terrier pups, one
was already spoken for and there were two left. The small white one, the one
that looked like her mom, was the pup that the breeder thought would be the
pup that the terrier woman was looking for, it was the one the terrier woman
fell in love with. She had such a cute face, perfect little ears, a tail that
came up over her back when the devil was on her shoulder (which was most of
the time), she had lots of leg for such a small little dog - she was perfect,
well almost.

The terrier woman drove to SFO and picked up her pup. Oh my goodness she was
so small, she came out of her crate like she owned the place, the cars,
sounds and smells of the airport did not phase her in the least...she was
perfect!!! well almost.

This little Parson Russell stole the terrier woman's heart. She was sweet
and feisty, she loved to work and play, yes the terrier woman thought - Whoopi
is the perfect name for her. This terrier woman who never played with dolls
growing up found herself buying raincoats and fleece, beautiful collars and
matching leashes, not one but many. They were given to them as gifts and they
were proudly worn and admired by many. Whoopi got along with the other border
terriers and border collies in the house, she loved all the terrier woman's
clients and their dogs. The terrier woman would take her to trials and from
almost everyone that approached them you would hear them utter 'Whoop, Whoop,
Whoop' - grateful that Whoopi was so well liked but how on earth was the
terrier woman going to teach her to walk on leash - sheesh!!!! At the end of the
day the terrier woman and Whoopi would curl up in bed with a book or in front
of the TV, they were almost inseparable and their love for each other was
something that the terrier woman had never experienced with any other dog. This
little dog was special and perfect, well almost.

The terrier woman and Whoopi started trialing, things were going peachy and
then shortly after Whoopi was two years old something seemed a little off,
nothing that the terrier woman could put her finger on, just something wasn't
quite right. They went off to the vet and a blood test revealed very high
liver values. More tests and diets, biopsies, acupuncture and herbs, the liver
values stabilized but now the loose stools and her inability to eat any one
food for more than a few days became the problem. More tests and medications and
vets - nothing was working and my little Whoopi was wasting away.

I had to say goodbye to Whoopi. Phil and I laid her to rest next to Tailor
and Illy. I do not consider myself a terrier woman any longer... I don't think
my heart could stand it.

Whoopi 3/13/2003 - 4/2/2008