We fell in love with that photo the moment we saw it.  There was something in her eyes that called to us.  Candy had an obstinate charm that was contrary to most Cockers.  She wasn't the poster-dog of merriment, at least not when interlopers were around.  She had her own way of doing things and was much more independant than the average Cocker.  Candy would come to us with her head tilted and licking her lips in a peculiar way.  We soon discovered that this was her way of getting us to help her after she'd gotten part of her biscuit stuck...and so we would push it back into her mouth so she could finish it.  She would come to you and swat you with her paw coupled with an annoyed grumble to get your attention...but would always let you know when she was done with you.   She was our resident bad-ass and kept the other dogs in line and we believe that even they miss her militant rule.

We lost her to cancer on October 29, 2006.  She was the first dog that we had together as a couple and our home, wherever that may be, will always be called "Candyland" in honor of Candy.  I know that we'll never know another like her, or like any of the others that have graced our home...a thought that is both comforting and sad at the same time.