our girl windemere

In the 27 years that Helen and I have been together we have shared our love with several of God's four legged angels. None have touched our hearts quite like Windemere. Her love for us knows no bounds.

As a young puppy she was given to us by the spouse of a soldier who was being deployed out of the country back in 2010.  I'll never forget coming home and seeing Helen holding this beautiful little Dachshund who immediately gave me her signature look...the ol' "side eye" checking me out wondering what's up with this guy. Dachshunds are known to be one owner dogs and I knew right away I had my work cut out for me to win her over seeing as she had obviously already bonded with Helen.

Fortunately for me, given that Windy shared our bed and the couch wasn't so comfortable, the good lord sought fit to give Windy a BIG heart and she found the energy to love us both unconditionally. During the last 14 years the kisses have never ceased, and the bond between all three of us have grown as we have shared our daily lives together. Including participating as vendors at so many reptile and exotic shows over that time. We are a team and have traveled so far together.....literally and figuratively.

Several months ago we learned that Windy's heart had enlarged, an already huge heart full of love had physically grown inside her body. She was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) which is a heart condition that affects small to medium sized dogs as they age. The mitral valve undergoes degenerative changes such as thickening. These changes prevent the valve from closing properly which causes the valve to leak. There is no cure, just expensive medications to support the heart function and sustain a healthy quality of life prior to the onset of Congestive Heart Failure. (CHF)

Unfortunately, late on the evening of March 9th, 2024 our beloved Windemere passed into the heavens. Her enlarged heart, which was so full of love, could no longer keep up with her body's needs and she suffered a cardiac event. She passed in the loving arms of her soulmate Helen. Our hearts ache and we miss her so much.

Rest in peace our little angel....when we look out to the western sky at the planet Venus, we will sing the songs of love we shared with you so many times, and we'll know you're listening.

We want to thank you for your support of Royal Roaches over the years. We have met so many of you personally and your friendship means a lot to us. Having vended so many reptile shows with Windy at our side, I can't begin to note all the folks who have touched us with stories of their loved ones, or who's days were brightened by seeing Windemere. 

Mike and Helen