The new place brought new friends and adventures. Unfortunately it also brought the loss of my companion since the age of 4.

I think Dixie missed the old irrigation ditch in Tieton so she would occasionally go to the canal on Cowiche Mountain for a swim. Other than that, she pretty much kept to our property.

She had a litter of pups and like most of her breed was protective. The neighbors weimaraners were prowling around and Dixie stood in the bottom of the driveway to warn them off. Someone swerved to avoid the Weimaraners and actually hit Dixie in our driveway. We knew the man and he felt terrible. I was heartbroken but wanted to shoot the 2 dogs responsible for the loss of my friend. Dad explained why I could not do that but if the opportunity presented itself I would have been hard pressed not to take it. She was a truly great dog and started a lifetime attraction to the breed.