Our Pets #2

On that blistering day in July 1999, I wanted every dog at the county shelter, but I could only take one. I leaned toward a cute, portly dog, but my friend suggested Luke. What the heck I looked at so many dogs, why not one more? Inside his cage, the big gold-and-white dog had surrendered to defeat. Once outside, he was perky and happy. He slobbered on my cheek and jumped into my lap. He was the one. Since dogs were so instrumental in my recovery from a serious car accident, I had Luke behavior-tested for pet therapy. He sailed through. For the next eight years, we were a team with Gabriel’s Angels, a group that tries to free abused, neglected and at-risk children from the shackles of domestic violence. Luke died last year, but he helped me spread kindness and compassion to children who’ve seen life’s rougher edges. I miss you, buddy, but thanks for the memories.

Debra