A TALE TO REMEMBER
by Judy Cook
 

     In 2005 my daughter and I were traveling to Barnegat to find a specific store. As we were driving, we came across a group of people with lots of wonderful dogs and booths. It was a special gathering. After our shopping trip we decided to stop. I took a brochure put it in my purse, looked around and left.
     At that time we had our Golden Casey in our lives. One month later, Casey became very ill and had to be put down. There was nothing they could do for her. I was still carrying around that brochure.
     Time went by and Wayne and I pondered if we should get another dog. This went on for many months. Then, after much thought we looked at the brochure again. We filled out the Shore Hearts Golden Retriever Rescue adoption form and e-mailed it in. We got a call immediately! We were so happy.
     We were invited to come to Pirates Day to see the little cutie named Mindy. She was 11-months-old and everything we wanted. We absolutely fell in love.
     Not too long after, Mindy was brought to our house. Wayne got down on the floor with her, and it was love at first sight. She was our little girl. We instantly bonded with her, but Wayne and Mindy had such a very special relationship.
     One month after we adopted her, we got some really bad news. Wayne was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and he was terminal. The doctor promised he would give him the best quality of life he could, and he did.
     Wayne and Mindy were inseparable. She adored him. She was with him all the time, except when we went for his treatments. Mindy knew he was sick and tried to make him smile.
     As time went on it got more difficult for him. Wayne was in hospice at our home, and Mindy tried to crawl between the bed rails to lick him and say hello. She didn't leave his bedside. She missed him so much. But Wayne was moving on, and his interests were elsewhere.
     He has since passed away in February of this year. Mindy's heart was broken as well as mine. She was very depressed. As time went on she started to become her old self again, and now has focused on me and our life together.
     Mindy made Wayne smile when his life was falling apart. She made him so happy — there was a reason we stopped that day to get the brochure. She is the most special dog we have ever had.
     She has thanked us every day for bringing her into our home — and I have thanked her every day for making Wayne and me so happy. We have now moved on together.

Entry submitted July 21, 2009


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