I don't know how many of you subscribe to Petwarmers but it has been mentioned here at PT in the past. You can just go to www.Petwarmers.com and you will be rewarded with a funny, sad or just a heartwarming story about pets each day. I am posting this one in Dog General because it is about dogs. If you have an elderly parent (as I do) you will want to get a hankie before reading.
FAITHFUL AND STEADFAST
by Carolyn Mayer
My father was a veterinarian of the old school, having graduated
from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1940.
Dad practiced both small and large animal medicine, ending his
career with just dogs and cats when he was 78 years old.
Dad and my mother were married for 65 years until her death, two
years ago. When she died, Dad moved from their home in Florida to my
town in the State of Washington, bringing with him Angel, a
long-haired Chihuahua, and Sadie, a black Labrador Retriever.
They flew like seasoned travelers, even though he was 93, and
both dogs were 12 years old.
The dogs and my Dad set up housekeeping in a retirement
apartment community not far from my house. They immediately set
about making many fast friends. Soon there were dog biscuits at the
front reception desk for each of them, and many ladies fought for the
chance to hold little Angel on their laps.
Those dogs helped my Dad through his grief over my mother, the
fear of moving clear across the country, and the trepidation at
having to make new friends. Many days you could see the three of
them strolling along the sidewalk, Sadie in the lead and Angel riding
in the basket of my Dad's walker.
My father had rescued both dogs.
Sadie had belonged to someone who died of cancer when she was
just two years old. The person's son and daughter-in-law didn't want
her and dropped her at the Humane Society. Dad got her on her last
day of life there.
Angel was found in the middle of a busy street, bedraggled,
neglected and hungry, and NOT spayed. (That was soon fixed.)
Dad and the dogs lived in their apartment for almost two years.
I was so proud of him living on his own and caring for his pets. He
was now almost 95 years old but still walking the dogs, taking a yoga
class, and enjoying his friends at the apartment. Sadie and Angel
were now 14 years old, but still up and around and loving their
"grandpa."
Last week, I had breakfast with Dad and then left for work. I
called him around noon for lunch, but he didn't answer.
Something made me go over to his place and when I entered his
apartment, I found him in his recliner with Angel in his lap and
Sadie at his feet I thought he was asleep, but he wouldn't wake
up. He was gone.
Both dogs stayed right where they were during the arrival of the
EMTs and through the priest's prayers. In fact, they didn't move for
almost two hours until the funeral home came to take him away. Angel
had to be pried off his lap and Sadie followed the stretcher down to the
waiting car and watched him leave his home. Both dogs attended his
funeral.
Angel and Sadie have come to my house to live. I have three
much younger and much more active dogs. It isn't easy for either of
them, but just as they have done before, they are adjusting. Sadie
has just started getting excited for her breakfast again and Angel is
coming with me to my office when I can manage it, so she can sit in
my lap.
These dogs always seemed grateful to have been saved from
certain death. They have repaid the debt (if there was one) many
times over, but especially by having been with both of my parents at
the time of their deaths and staying steadfast right up to the end.
I don't know what would happened without them. Whoever gave up
Sadie missed a lot of love and care from a dog who never wanted
anything for herself. Whoever neglected Angel, missed a true friend
and comforter.
My Dad was the beneficiary of it all and I am grateful.
-- Carolyn Mayer <cjmayer at msn.com>
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