I had lost my dog of 16 years to cancer and I was hurting. I didn’t think I could replace her. I was riding my bike past a Humane Society. I don’t know what pulled me in there…but I stopped. I saw this dog who reminded me of the dog I lost, so I approached her cage. She was half German Shepherd and half Aussie Shepherd, about 55 lb. and beautiful. She barked and went into the corner and trembled and urinated.
The lady told me she had been beaten every day of her life for over a year, she was a very frighten animal. I left with pain in my heart and returned every week for three weeks. Finally the lady there told me if I would take a chance, that this dog would be the best friend I ever had. I took that chance, and she was so right. Not only did this dog blossom into my best friend, but also my teacher. She loved everything, cats, other dogs, chipmunks, people…she taught me how to accept and love. I moved into a new condo complex two years ago. This place was inhabited by four wild cats. Within a month she had made contact with all four and they would rub her and purr, to the amazement of everyone but me.
After eleven years together I had learned to expect this behavior from her. Perhaps the most incredible lesson she taught me took place about a year ago. We were walking on the beach when I spotted an old man, dirty and dishevel lying in the rocks. My dog Triple never left my side when we were walking; even in the wilderness when we would backpack…she was like glue to my side. As I walked past this man about 20 yards away, she left my side…I was shocked. I couldn’t respond till she was already up to him. He had come to a seated position and she nuzzled up against him. He began to pet her and a smile came to his face. I ran up and apologized to him and said “I hope my dog didn’t startle you.” He slowly looked up at me and said, “this is the first thing that has shown me any love in as long as I can remember.” Tears came to my eyes; I gave him a ten dollar bill and bid him a good day. As we left I looked at my dog and told her that she was my guru, my teacher.
She showed me what I should have been doing, showing love to someone less fortunate than myself. Triple died of cancer March 7, 2002, it has been over a year…but I will miss her till the day I die, I feel lost without her. When that lady told me she would be my best friend…she had no idea how right she would be. She was truly my teacher.
She was my best friend.
My Teacher My Friend,
I will miss you till the day I die.
| Triple |
| 7, March 2001 |
| Ron Mirolla |