Dear Dr. Aziz and staff,
I want to thank you for coming to our farm today. Your compassion is duly noted and I will be eternally grateful. I don’t know you nor do you know me or my dog but through conversation with your staff, I realized that you are fellow dog whisperers.
In the orchard by our house, rest 5 dogs and Roxanne age 15 will be joining them today. I would like to mention that they wore no collars, were tethered to no leash, were contained to no fenced yards, were never hit or yelled at or denied a couch or love seat. They had no pedigree.
They were all chosen by birth in winter months and found in SPCA or Human Societies. Most were born in the month of November and came home to me in January. I used the cold and the snow to train. I would put on my winter gear, bring the puppies outside and start walking towards the barn, talking with them all the way. They stayed right in step with me every time, every day, every year. The warmth of the barn and greenhouses were highlighted by many employees waiting to pet, play, socialize.
During the years they rode shotgun in the big farm truck during peach harvest; they helped with the spring greenhouse crops; they supervised many barbecues, pool parties and kid’s sleepovers. They attended the weddings and celebrations, funerals and illnesses of many family members. Each dog has their own set of stories.
This dog, Roxanne was the sweetest. Her story line is probably the dearest to me as it bridged through the loss of parents, the double cancer diagnosis of my husband and the journey of my only son through childhood. This is the dog that remembers the touch of my father, the ultimate dog whisperer, and my child, who is on his own journey. Both men were blessed with a worldly intelligence and photographic memory. So if I forget the day to day wonder of Roxanne, I will be reminded by my son and prodded by my heart. The heart always remembers.
And to this, I thank you once more for your kindness. I like to think that most people are built with kindness. Kindness is never overrated and walks miles with saddened hearts.
Your kindness for this dog you didn’t know, this family that will miss her deeply, will never be forgotten.