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Nicky Watson's making headlines again - she's in mourning once more after losing another dog.
Watson, whose chihuahua Cricket was found dead on a beach last year - a story which created a mini media storm - has suffered more heartache with the death yesterday of Cricket's replacement, eight-week-old chihuahua Lopez.
Watson was presented with the puppy by friend and fellow dog lover Gilda Kirkpatrick on Wednesday.
But Watson's joy was short-lived. Lopez, named after top surfer Gerry, died from an infection, despite the best efforts of vet to the stars, Alex Melrose.
"I took him in very early in the morning," said Watson. "They just put him on the drip and pumped him full of antibiotics, glucose.
"But he was so little, and when they get an infection they have no reserve to get through it.
"Life can be so wonderful and so cruel at the same time, but one thing's for sure, it definitely goes on."
Watson said the dog was probably infected when Gilda picked him up from a breeder recommended by the New Zealand Kennel Club.
"The vet thought Lopez might have eaten a rotten poo because that's where they usually pick up that sort of thing, from faeces."
Watson has two adult chihuahuas, Gizmo and Scout, at her parents' Stillwater house. Scout survived a stroke last year.
But she's not ready for another puppy.
Lopez was buried in her parents' backyard yesterday afternoon. Watson said there was little chance of a memorial service when Gilda gets back from a visit to Waiheke Island.
"No, we'll probably just have a wine."
