Losing a Friend

Posted by TeamCharlie on January 21, 2009 under Wags for Hope | Be the First to Comment

I have the privilege to meet a lot of dog lovers as president of Wags for Hope.  Two weekends ago was no exception.  We held our bimonthly orientation at the Holly Hills Country Club with over 50 people in attendance.  This was by far our biggest turnout to date.  It is always wonderful to see the expressions of anticipation on so many faces.  Two people introduced themselves as friends of one of our best teams – Team Eva.  Eva was a Doberman Pinscher.  When I first heard about her I thought that this might not be the best dog suited to be a therapy dog, but I couldn’t have been more in the wrong about her.  Her owner Judy had such a great relationship with her dog and Eva was as calm and as sweet as she could be.  She was one of the pioneers of the R.E.A.D. program which brings our dogs out to schools and libraries.  Sadly, Eva passed away in 2008.  So I was eager to get Judy’s friends involved as they had an air about them – one similar to Judy’s. I just sensed that they would be a wonderful therapy team.  They have a Golden Retriever named Crew.  They told us all about Spencer, another Doberman who is Judy’s new team mate in training.  We will gladly welcome them when Spencer turns one year old.

I received a phone call yesterday from the new couple who was scheduled to be evaluated this weekend.  They told me that they were at the vet’s and that sadly the doctor had found a tumor pushing up against poor Crew’s heart.  They were calling to cancel their evaluation for this weekend.  I was speechless as I didn’t know what to say.  I was wondering if I were on the same side of the fence if I could hold it together like she was.   I was just imagining being in their shoes as I expect they were about to have to make a devastating decision.  At the end of the conversation she told us we could keep the registration fee as a donation and I thanked her.  That’s when I heard her break out in tears as she hung up the phone.

Sometimes we grieve over animals more than we do family members.  If you have a dog or cat, then you understand that concept.  I really cannot imagine what’s in store for us because I have never been closer to an animal like I am to Charlie.  And not surprisingly Lily is right up there too.  There can only be one message here – go find your pet(s) and give them a big hug.

Our thoughts and prayers are with “Team Crew”.