Cassye is one of those special dogs that come into your life. I have so many wonderful memories of Cassye and she really left a piece of her in my heart.
When Cassye gaited around the dog show ring, she just took your breath away, she just floated as she moved. To see a Boxer who moved so perfect and so smooth is something I have only seen a handful of times in all my years of watching dogs shows at ringside. Jack Brown, who showed Cassye for me, and also adored her, used to say she moved like a well tuned machine and that described her just perfectly.
Cassye was bred twice and produced two Champion get, one from each litter. She was one of the best mothers I have ever had. She absolutely loved puppies and thought all puppies belonged to her! One time I fostered a litter of rescue puppies who were around five weeks old and already weaned. However, Cassye who was around nine years old at the time, let them all pile up on her and they couldn't help but nurse even though Cassye obvioulsy did not have milk..., not yet anyhow.... One day I noticed the puppies were all getting very fat and not wanting their kibble. It only took me a moment to think to go and check Cassye. Sure enough the puppies had stimulated her maternal hormones to start producing milk for them! No wonder those babies were fat and not hungry! Cassye would just lay there for hours letting them bite and pull on her and eventually, when they tired, they would snuggle up to her and fall asleep with their new surrogate mommy.
Cassye also mothered my adult dogs, making sure to keep everyone in order. If play became too rough, Cassye stepped in and put a stop to it, letting the other dogs know that enough was enough! All of my other dogs respected her and when Cassye spoke, they all listened! I affectionately called her the Play Police!
Oh was Cassye ever a lover!!! She was an incredible snuggler and just so sweet and loving. But she was also a protector and I always felt safe when she was with me. The day she died a huge piece of me went with her.... God must have needed a good dog the day he took her from me and I can say, from the bottom of my heart, He most certainly got one incredibly special and absolutely perfect girl....