by Darlene Vensel
When my cousin first called to tell me she had a dog for me, I did not want him because we lived in an apartment and had two outside dogs. I thought about it and called her back. He was born in the coalbbin of his mother's owners cellar and he was more black than blond. We had to bathe him five times to get the black soot off him. It was not long before this lovable bundle of fur became one of the most important things in my life. We had no children at the time and he just seemed to fill the bill. If I was happy, he knew it and would dance all round me wanting to play. When Iwas sad, he would put his head on my knee and look up at me as if to say, I understand." We moved out into the country and I would take him on long walks in the woods. When he saw me getting that leash he would jump and dance all around then look at me as if to say, "Le'ts go!" We would walk to our favorite spot and sit and watch the birds and talk for hours. I know it seems silly talking to a dog but that dog knew things about me no one else could know. I loved him so much and trusted him with things I would never trust another soul with. I had him for 14 years when I took him for a walk one day and turned aound to see him lying behind me just looking at me as if to say,"I can't go on." How did he get so old so fast I wondered as I helped him to his feet.
Later that day the vet told us his lungs were filling up with fluid and he gave us pills to try and relieve it but not much hope. Two weeks later I made that decision none of us like to make but we have to. I sat up all night and cried as I craddled him in my arms and tried to thank him for all he did for me whilie my husband sat on the other side with moist eyes petting him. On August 29, 1989, I ltruly lost the best friend I ever had. I hope I see him on that 'rainbow bridge' someday.