Collie
My grandfather got Lassie from the shelter.
My grandparents had collies all my life but this was the first shelter dog.
She had been abused by a family tied by a short rope to a tree
for the cats to claw her beautiful fur out.
When she came into the Gerber household she was still nervous.
At New Year's she'd cower at the noise as we banged pots
and pans and blew noisemakers in celebration.
Soon though she knew she was in a place full of love.
She now had two young girls who fawned over her and
she'd wait by the window in the afternoon for our after
school visit to my grandmother's.
She was the most beautiful collie with a thick shining coat
that I earned allowance for brushing although I'd have done it anyway.
I loved petting her and feeling her fur on my face as I hugged her.
When she developed a hip disease my grandparents did everything
they could even trying surgery but Lassie was just too proud.
She knew it was time to move on.
Though we all miss her still it's a miracle to have been able to share
our lives with this gentle dog who taught us so much
about the power of love.
| Lassie |