What My Dog Taught Me

Today I had to put my 13 year old dog Winnie to sleep.  She was ill and in pain, so because I loved her I did right by her.  She is free of pain and up in heaven on top of a fluffy pillow just as she would have been if she were still with us.  I adopted her from an animal rescue group but ironically she rescued us.  In 2002 I had to put my previous dog to sleep and 3 weeks later my mom passed away.  That was a very rough year for all of us.  I had just moved into a new home as well and the stress of 3 three events was not pretty.  After a year or so my kids were of course on my case to get another dog.  I secretly had been looking on http://www.petfinder.com/ for 6 months trying to find a dog that was good with kids, that would also fit into our lives.  I found Winnie there and called the organization to find out more about her.  She was a perfect fit for us and so I drove with my family to a house where she was being fostered.  She was a very timid dog that had obviously been through a stressful time herself.  It took time but she slowly came out of her shell and began to trust us.  She by any definition was the perfect loving dog.  She was a lover and a people pleaser but if she didn't like you, just forget it!

I had the pleasure of having her in my life for almost 7 years, she will be truly missed.  I was thinking about how technically I saved her by adopting her but really, she saved me.  She taught me that second chances in life are for everyone.  I think in her case, her second chance was my best chance.  She brought us together as a family, made us laugh at her sense of entitlement, as she helped herself to my pillow any time of day or night.  She reminded us that life can be rough but it's ok to laugh even at the bad stuff.  She reminded us that greeting people with extreme enthusiasm makes people feel good.  Winnie taught me that love is unconditional wether you have food in your hand or not.  That crazy dog taught me that spoiling her and myself if good for my soul.  She taught me that no matter what kind of collar or harness I bought to make her walk around the block, it was not going to keep her from doing a Hudini and running home to a pillow. 

Moral of Winnie's story, give people second chances in life, love, and business.  We all deserve a second chance at life, love and happiness!

RIP- Winnie May 19, 2010
I know you are on a fluffy cloud pillow and I miss you already.