Remembering Annie the Sarasota Frenchie

Update December 7, 2023

After almost 9 wonderful years of giving us so much joy and putting smiles on the faces of everyone who met her, Annie made her way to the rainbow bridge on August 23rd, 2023 as her heart gave in after three days in oxygen at the BluePearl Pet Hospital where she was admitted for breathing issues. Going into the third night, it looked like she was improving, and the medical staff was going to try to start weening her off of the oxygen. However, after returning from a quick walk at 5:30AM, she drank some water and laid down. A few minutes later, the staff checked up on her and she had passed away in her sleep. As always, Annie did it her way, without anyone having to make a decision and with her ever-present tongue sticking out! She is missed so much and always will be.

Update May 13, 2023

Annie had an MRI done in January that showed the fluid pockets in her spine are full and it causes her right front paw to buckle under. She can still get her paw down just a little when walking and can get around the house and short distances outside, such as up and down the walkway. We are in the process of making a brace to help keep her arm straight. Other than that, she is doing great! She goes to water therapy every week and still loves greeting people. She loves going for walks in her stroller and still makes some pet store visits on occasion.

December 5, 2022

Annie celebrated her 8th birthday today and so did her veterinarian's office as they gave her a birthday treat!

Update August 2, 2022

Annie is continuing to do a great job with her water therapy. She still loves meeting and greeting people at pet stores and on walks. She is limited to shorter walks because of neuropathy in her front right paw but loves to ride in the stroller for the longer walks.

Update July 25, 2021

Annie is continuing to do a great job with her water therapy. She is feeling better overall and has been able to visit a few more stores this month. So far she has not needed a stroller!

Update July 1, 2021

Annie is doing a great job as she continues with her water therapy. Here are front (with her ever-present tongue sticking out) and side views of Annie walking on the water treadmill!

Update June 26, 2021

Annie has been doing so well with her therapy that she was rewarded with her first pet store visit today in 2 1/2 months! We kept it short, about 20 minutes since her vet still does not want her walking too much, however it was still Annie being Annie, meeting and greeting everyone and getting all of the attention! Photos: 1. Annie getting a pet from one of the employees. 2. Getting a nice greeting from a customer while the person she was with pays the cashier. 3, Looking for a treat in the cashier area. 4. Receiving a treat in the cashier area. 5. Saying hello to a young lady and the two adults accompanying her.

June 2, 2021 - Since arriving in Sarasota, FL as a two-month old, five-pound french bulldog puppy from Missouri in February 2015, Annie has been a frequent visitor to Sarasota pet stores such as PetSmart, Petco (all three Sarasota stores), Pet Supermarket (both Sarasota stores), Holistic for Pets, Pet Supplies Plus, Petland, DOGPerfect (both Sarasota stores), and Pet Supply Center (Webber St.). In addition to pet stores, Annie has also frequently visited Rendez-Vous French Bakery (Clark Rd.), Hobby Lobby, Michaels Arts & Crafts, Home Goods, Party City, West Marine, Twin Lakes Park and Urfer Park as well as taking strolls through the many shopping centers in town.

Annie just loves meeting and greeting people, so if you have worked at or visited any of the above places, chances are that you have met Annie. She especially loves hanging out behind the counter with the cashiers as she must have been a cashier in an earlier life. On April 15, 2021, all of that came to a halt as she woke up from a nap and could barely walk. Annie was diagnosed with a neck injury (three bulging disks) and we were ordered to keep her still on the couch for six weeks, other than very short potty breaks. Annie wanted all her friends to know that even though she has not been away from the house other than visits to the vet, she is alive and well! She can now walk around the house and play with her toys. Although her walks outside are still short, mostly up and down the walkway, she is going to water and laser therapy and is doing much better! Her front paws sometimes curl up when she is walking, but we are hoping that will improve. She will not be able to walk all over Sarasota like she used to and may have to walk in a stroller at times when visiting larger stores, but Annie will still be so happy to see her friends again! Photo: Annie hanging out by the pond on May 28, 2021.

Here are some photos of Annie through the years.

1. At Petland Sarasota for a Valentine's Day photo just one day after being adopted into her new home (2/14/15).

2. Annie in the cart on the first of her many, many visits to PetSmart. She would graduate to walking on the floor on just her second visit a few days later when she turned into the social butterfly she is today (3/7/15).

3. Posing in her holiday attire displaying her signature tongue! (12/19/15)

4. Everyone is all smiles (including Annie!) after Annie won first prize in a dog contest at Church Of The Trinity MCC (10/1/16). She would win the following year as well!

5. Hanging out behind the counter at Holistic For Pets (12/1/18).