I am far from being a religious creature...although a number of times today, I have been in converation with St. Francis and St. Roche. I think they were listening.
As an added bonus, I had the good fortune to hear the laughing and reassuring tones of Mary Hynes on Tapestry today as I was driving home for a last visit to the vet with a good friend. http://www.cbc.ca/tapestry/whatistapestry.html The lovely minister from Georgia talked about being charged with the care of God's creatures. It was well timed...
I like to believe that none of us wishes suffering on any other creature. I am certain nobody wishes so much as discomfort on any one whom we love. In this, I am rarely disappointed.
It's true that when you believe in rescue - of any sort - you wear your heart on your sleeve...and often as not, it gets a bit bruised. It is equally true that what you gain in the process is well worth the bruising that proves inevitable.
Just over four years ago , an 'old' collie arrived at the Hamilton Animal Control. Not the humane society, the pound...where abandoned dogs and cats and birds and bunnies are left...frequently. The lovely people there knew - logically - that a 10 year old collie was not quite the 'catch' that lures anxious people to adopt. But they also knew a sweet dog with such bright eyes was worth a risk. I thank the Good Lord for those gambling souls every day...and I will continue to do that.
So they called Collie Rescue...http://collierescuenetwork.com/
Jennifer called us....
We are - admittedly -failed foster parents. If they come, they stay. No questions asked.
It makes us less than ideal volunteers, but here and there, it makes us helpful.
She was - as Jennifer the Animal Control Officer warned us - old. At least ten. She had some separation anxiety...and her teeth needed some work...but she was a gracious old lady.
So home she came.
She never moved fast, really. She did, however, move purposefully. When focused, she could bump her brothers out of the way with intent. Often, she did.
She was lovely. When she did her first spot on Animal House Calls for Collie Rescue, she was a poster child. When she last went for grooming - four weeks ago - the folks at the 'spa' said she was the best looking of our collie kids. They weren't wrong.
Perhaps, most important, she was happy. She barked at squirrels with vigour (although the squirrels never went far when it was just her...)....she loved Timbits...and hot dogs...and walks in the park, during which she sang. The dulcet strains of 'woo' repeated in assorted harmony.
She had - up to this last week - such very bright eyes.
She laughed.
And she was always a reminder that old is not over...that it might take time to get somewhere, but accomplishing the journey was a worthy pursuit even if it was a little longer in the making.
She was never any trouble.
A tooth out here...a cyst off there...that was the extent of the medical maintenance for the Betty White of Collies. Until last week.
But even then, there are times where - if you pay attention - you know it's not a case of silver linings in a cloud...but a little cloud in the silver linings.
Things unfolded quickly...so she didn't suffer.
She was blessed with kind and loving caregivers - who roasted her chicken, and changed her blankets, and ran her neuro assessments to see if maybe - just maybe - there was some odd possibility that this was not a sinister and final affliction. And everyone so very much wanted a miracle.
Perhaps, in an odd way, we all got that answer to our collective prayer.
There was a warm Sunday in the yard to enjoy...
There were friends Shannon and Janice checking on her and feeding her and changing her so if the time was short, it was comfortable and at home.
There were Carrie and Evan - her peeps - sitting with her and reminding her how much she was loved.
There were Dr. Sharon, Dr. Pat - her good pal Kelly - plus Melissa, Patty and Nicki - and her gentleman caller, Austin the lab - looking for puzzle pieces and keeping her always comfortable.
That, my friends, is nothing to sneeze at. We should all be so blessed.
And while it was a tough day - for all of us - for Amber the collie, it was a good day.
She had more names than any collie we've ever known. She came with Amber...which became Amber Dolly...and Dolly...Dolly Doodle...and Dolly Roo - and Woo - which was almost the sound of her bark. She was Baby Girl to many of us...and Hey You to Dad...
Each call of every name got that same flash of bright eyes...a wag of a tail...and a smile.
And that, is worth everything.
So while the day is tough - and it is - it is so very worth the four years of hilarity and delight she brought.
Recently on Tapestry a former Anglican Bishop talked about heaven...and his dog...and how he knows that when he gets there, his dog will be the surest sign he is safely home. I know she is...and when I go, I will be packing TimBits....'cause she will certainly be expecting them. And so she should.
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2 comments:
WOW! Gin I am weeping here with old Shadow the mutt. Always knew you and Sir Dave were special! Amber was a lucky pooch.
Aaaawww that is so sweet.
Baby Girl was someone special. I remembered a few weeks ago she kept coming up to me and wanted to be patted. For a moment, I thought my dog Buddy was giving her lessons somehow!
She will be missed.
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