Yesterday I took a personal day off work (something I've only done one other time in the last 13 years of working for my school district). It was the Golden Retriever Club National Specialty (AKA the national Golden thingy), and yesterday they hosted the "Rescue Parade." Fifty rescued Goldens were being highlighted, and our Foley was one of them.
I was prepared for the variety of Goldens. Some were small, some were lanky, some had a big head (one was brain-damaged) and one even had a missing leg. I was prepared for all the swirls of golden-colored dog hair whirling around the floor of Purina. (Purina's clean-up crew probably worked overtime each evening; many sweaters could be knit with the hair that was shed.) What I was not prepared for was my emotional response.
Seeing the people who came specifically to view the rescue parade--they cheered and clapped and thanked us individually for what we did--was heartwarming. The event began with a bagpiper, then each dog's story was read as the dog was paraded around the ring. Each dog received a medal that was placed around its neck--hung from a plaid ribbon--and the bagpiper finished up the parade.
We waited in line before we got our cue. We waited until the real champions' events broke for lunch. And we all looked up and down the row of dogs who were loved and cherished and cared for. But not one of these canines would ever win a ribbon in this kind of competition.
One of us made the comment, "We each have a #1 dog." Someone else replied, "And to think they're all 'throw away' dogs." He was right. Every one of those dogs had been discarded by someone...left for dead...abandoned.
What accomplishment or steadfastly-held dream are you proud of these days? Or What kind of competition would your dog or cat win? (Foley would win the couch potato trophy, for sure!) Or How does your past (as a writer, an artist, a human) impact your future?
My cat would win the biggest whiner trophy. Or the best paper shredder trophy.
ReplyDeleteWith Schmeogal (spelling?) you don't need one of those electronic shredder things, at least.
DeleteI have three dogs. The female German Shepherd would win the Most Anxious For Absolutely No Reason award. The rescued, presumed Borador gal would bring home the Hyperest, Happiest, Lovingest Companion cup. And the male Beagle would snag the Most Thorough and Enthusiastic Consumer of Anything Resembling Food trophy.
ReplyDeleteFoley, like Lynn's cat, is a shredder. He will destroy shoes, plastic bags, paper---whatever we fail to keep out of his reach.
DeleteHmmm...well, I'll begin with the cats. Tabby would win the "Bossy-Pants" award; Bailey would win the "Fifty Shades of Grey" award (don't read too much into that one...she just happens to be grey); and Luna would win the "Luna-tic" award. As for the dogs, Rigby would win the "Peacekeeper" award and Penny would win the "Finding Nemo" award, because if she hadn't already been named Penny when we adopted her we would have named her Dory. :)
ReplyDeleteHow does my past impact my future? Too many ways to enumerate here. But I'm a "glass half-full and getter fuller" kind of person, so it's all good. :D
Lisa--I figured the glass is NEVER half empty at your home--figuratively and literally.
DeleteI think you have the seed of a best-seller: Bailey's version of "Fifty Shades of Gray." (Luna sounds like a cat I once had, decades ago. Her name was Sybil, and it was a perfect name because she had many different personalities.)
Wanted to say, also, that I commend your efforts at animal rescue. Like you, I adore Golden Retrievers, but all the breeds, mixed and otherwise, are deserving of the chance to love and be loved. I firmly believe our animal companions are one of God's greatest gifts to humans and should be treated with respect, compassion and love. You do all that, Sioux, and I for one think you're a rock star.
ReplyDeleteA rock star? Perhaps a rock star from the stone age! But thanks, Lisa. You rescue animals too. Yes, they all deserve love and respect because that's all they want to give us--love.
DeleteWhat a great post! Hooray for you for championing these champion rescue dogs. They truly are treasures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tammy. Yes, the dogs (and cats) that we love and care for ARE treasures.
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