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My dog, Tasha is an 11 year
old Cockapoo - and has been the light of our
lives... Miss Personality - there's not a thing
she's thinking that you can't read on her face.
Several years ago, much to my surprise, Dad and
Tasha became "best buds" (now 85 and was diagnosed
with Alheimers a few years back.) Dad was never a
dog person. All my life I can't ever remember him
getting close or showing much affection to the
family pets. Yet these two have found each other.
Years ago when Dad still drove, Tasha would sneak in
to his car. Now when we drive over to "GP's" she
begins howling and whining the moment she knows
we've entered the sub-division and is a flurry of
hair in front of me to get out of the car once I've
stopped. The minute she sees Dad, she cries and
cries as he cuddles her. She totally loves him and
I know that he feels the same for her. And
strangely, I've not seen her carry on like this for
anyone else, including me and my husband. Lately
I've been wrestling with whether I should let her be
there more longer term. I can't seem to get
past how much I would terribly miss her. I got my
answer the other day when I walked into dad's house
and he greeted me as Nellie Mae (his sister who has
passed) and then promptly turned and said "Hi
Tasha!" She is definitely a solid presence in his
life and I need to do my part to see that she's
there as much as possible!
S. R.
Scooter, our Springer
Spaniel/Fence Jumper mix from the Humane Society,
was no more than 12 weeks old and had only been with
us for about 2 of those weeks when he taught me
about how much comfort a pet can be. After serving
Christmas dinner to my husband's family, they began
to drop like flies within 4 hours of the meal. Oh
no - I've poisoned them, I thought! (Don't worry -
I learned that it wasn't me, but a flu bug imported
from downstate by an elementary-age nephew!) Taking
care of one another's family members at various
homes was the activity for the next 2 -3 days -
family of all ages succumbed to a violent stomach
flu. With everyone on the mend, my nephew's parents
collected him from our home and I settled down on
the couch for my holiday "time off". Immediately,
my stomach started to ache and roll - oh no!!!!!
Home alone with Scooter, my husband at work, I laid
on the floor with my blankie and waited for the
waves of what was inevitable. Our little black and
white comforter didn't know what was wrong with his
new mom, he just knew something wasn't right. He
nestled on the floor next to me in the small of my
back. His empathy was a blessing and his furry
warmth on my back a tangible comfort. Our little
puppy was my floor companion throughout that
afternoon until his reinforcement arrived home from
the office. My husband was helpful, too, but I'll
never forget the loving comfort of that little pup.
How's that?
Dee
I want to tell you about
Bubba the wonder dog. Bubba is a mutt puppy, an
almost 11 year old "cockador"(lab/cocker spaniel and
who knows what else. Up until March 2007, Bubba had
an important job. He helped to take of his owner,
and my mother, who had Alzheimer's. I am not sure
how long Mom had it, but the last two years were
rough. Bubba never let Mom out of his sight.
Anytime she went out, he would try to tear the door
down until someone let him out. If she had got away
from him, he would very quickly find her. He was at
her side constantly in the house. Mom passed away in
March. Bubba has been lost without her. He has now
adopted me as his mother. He is my constant
companion when I am at home. I wish I could bring
him to work with me, my father says he just sleeps
when I am gone.
Thanks Gary for letting me
share this.
Carol
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