If you’ve ever heard use the term in golf when aligning a putt – “that’s a tough read”…well, this is a tough write…but here we go…
Reading inspirational books is something I’ve enjoyed lately. Recently, I picked up Live Like a Guide Dog by Michael Hingson at an airport kiosk – and am glad I did. Hingson is the blind man who, with his dog Roselle, escaped Tower One on 9/11. He first wrote Thunder Dog, which detailed the incredible story of Hingson and Roselle saving dozens of people from the 78th floor on that fateful day. Live Like a Guide Dog chronicles each guide dog Hingson has had since he was a teenager, and how all his service dogs – each with their unique personalities, taught him how to overcome fear, prepare for challenges in life and develop confidence and courage.
Bear and his Most Special Human Sean during a Sit Means Sit Class
We have all learned from our pets, be it caregiving when they are sick, practicing patience when they are puppies, or sticking with a feeding schedule throughout their lives.
Our first 3 dogs were large breeds and had very few health issues. Our first dog, a Golden Retriever named Corky lived until he was 13, and Bailey – Corky’s nephew – lived until almost 15. Puck – our funny and rather mischievous English Black Lab, lived to almost 16.
Puck – our funny Black Lab
How incredibly, incredibly lucky we were.
Fast forward to 2016…we impulsively adopted 2 more Golden puppies for our kids – who were in college at the time…and…how smart was that? you ask. Not very smart – perhaps, but we wouldn’t trade that decision for anything as these two – littermates Pumpkin and Bear – have taught our kids – and me – even more than their predecessors have.
Over the past 8 years, the two of them have been with our kids – and us – through thick and thin. Whether it was taking them to obedience classes, driving with Bear and our son on a 14-hour car trip to his college apartment in South Carolina or just taking Pumpkin for a long weekend – just across town – for our daughter, we have always been quite involved with their well-being. Bear and Pumpkin helped us all get through Covid, as most pets did for their humans. The two of them have done nothing but bring happiness to our family without even trying.
We were punched right in the gut earlier this year, when an x-ray of Bear’s stomach revealed a mass near his spleen, resulting in its removal and detection of a rare and aggressive form of cancer called Stromal Sarcoma.
How could this happen? We would ask ourselves repeatedly. What kind and loving soul deserves such cruelty? I’m truly convinced that selected people and animals can only stay on this planet for a certain amount of time, and Bear was no exception. To guide our son through his late teens and twenties and get him through some pretty challenging times was no easy task on Bear’s part, but he did it – and did it flawlessly. Pumpkin does the same for our daughter, every day.
Bear (left) and sister Pumpkin (right) after a tennis ball workout
We were always hoping Bear would have the same longevity as our first three dogs, but it’s often said that angels can only stay here for a short time.
We have learned so much from Corky, Bailey, Puck and Pumpkin, but the guy we called BearBear, Big Puppy, the Floof, and Mr. Bear, gave some real inspirations – which I will carry with me all the time from now on:
- Love, love and more love – first and foremost.
- Always be oh-so-glad to see your human, no matter how long (or short) it’s been. Tough day at the office? No worries, I got you!
- Wear that toothy Golden Retriever smile as much as possible.
- If you have a tail, wag it. If you don’t have a tail, then show that same happy enthusiasm with the rest of your body.
- Always get plenty of sleep in preparation for your next adventure with your human.
- If you are offered a tennis ball, take it – and go out and play. This can be said for any activity – i.e. do you want to play 9 holes or go for a quick swim?
- My paw will always stay on top of yours, after all…I’m here to protect my human.
I’ve seen a cardinal at my bird feeder every day since we said goodbye to Bear. I truly believe he is an angel, hence the saying “Cardinals appear when angels are near.” Bear is watching over all of us while playing with his family members or enjoying the new tennis ball he found in Heaven. But it still stings terribly, and probably always will. The holes in our hearts are quite big, but with time we will all get through it and join him someday to toss that tennis ball with his doggie uncles. I’m just so grateful to have been one of Bear’s humans, and will love him forever.
Our forever Angel
Sink or Swim 