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Sharing a Miracle: A rescued Dog makes a difference

© Marie McFarland

Recently, one of my earlier articles, “I Want To Quit!”, was posted with permission to one of the Dog Rescue email lists. There were several comments received, but I wanted to share this one, this amazing story, with you.
Joan

Marie McFarland writes:
<<< I want to quit!
AND THEN...
One of my adopted Rescues has visited a nursing home. A patient that has spent the last few years unable to communicate, not connecting---Lifts his hand to pat the huge head in his lap, softly speaks his first words in ages--- to this gentle furchild. >>>

Every time I reread this beautiful article it tugs at my heartstrings. The wonderful dog that made such a difference to this man was my boy Beau. This miracle happened two years ago, during a holiday visit to the nursing home with my local chapter of Greyhounds as Pets. Beau, though a huge Great Pyrenees, was considered an honorary greyhound as we often accompany this chapter when we march in local parades representing Rescue.

When we went into the recreation room, where the residents were gathered to visit with the dogs, there was a gentleman slumped over in his wheelchair. His eyes were cloudy and not focused on any one thing. I was told that this gentleman had been a veterinarian in his youth, and that he had stopped talking several years earlier. The staff was befuddled as to why he stopped trying to connect with the world. He looked so sad, sitting there alone while people and greyhounds milled around him.

Then Beau realized, that of all the people there, it was this one man that needed his attention the most. He went directly to him and placed his huge head gently in this man's lap. Beau licked his hand, and giving a heartfelt sigh of contentment, he leaned into this man's body. The staff and myself were both shocked when this man's eyes came to focus on Beau. The man sat up and reached to stroke the soft head in his lap. He returned Beau's full body cuddle, and then began to talk to my dog.

This gentleman, silent for so long, was telling Beau how beautiful he was and calling him a sweet boy. I still get Goosebumps when I recall that moment. I witnessed a true miracle on that day, and it was my dog that made all the difference.

Sadly we lost Beau to liver cancer this last year, just two days before Christmas. We held him and cuddled him as we released him from his pain. I weep as I type this. Beau was my heart dog. My champion. He was my best friend in this whole world. We had an extraordinary relationship, seemingly able to read each other’s minds and always knowing when one needed the other. In the months that followed his passing, I had dozens of people that knew and loved him tell me of their sorrow at his passing. That continues to this day.

The copyright of the article Sharing a Miracle: A rescued Dog makes a difference in Dog Rescue is owned by Joan C. Fremo. Permission to republish Sharing a Miracle: A rescued Dog makes a difference in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.