It seems like there are so many dogs that some of them, even if we are friends, or following them, we never got to know them. That is true of Rory, from the Rory and Stella blog, who joined me at the Bridge this week. I never got to know him while he was on the immortal side, and I regret it very much. Now that I have met him I know I missed out on a wonderful life.
He had a long list of medical problems in his five years of life. He fought them
all off but the last one, a large mass in the stomach, sent him here to the Bridge much too early.
all off but the last one, a large mass in the stomach, sent him here to the Bridge much too early.
Us small dogs leave huge holes in our parent's hearts and houses. When you are a huge dog like Rory your absence truly leaves a big hole. His Mom misses his faithful footsteps behind her, her having to squeeze by him, and him being a big, goofy, snuggle baby. His sister Stella misses Rory very much too They are supporting one another and hopefully will help each other through this terrible time.
I have to take more time to get to learn more about my friends and the dogs I follow. This was quite a poor tribute to this wonderful dog. I know he deserved better.
I would also like to recognize a dog still living in the mortal world, and doing amazing work for her human, work we all wish we could do. The dog's name is Harlow, and she is a therapy dog for a woman named Jaquie Blake who suffers from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. Among other life altering symptoms Jaquie suffers from migraines are narcolepsy, dizziness, and frequent fainting spells.
She was facing a very limited life confined to her house unless she had a companion. That is when she met a retriever named Harlow. Now she is going to college and moving towards her dream of being a physical therapist.
Harlow’s main job is to warn Harlow if she is about to experience one of the varied symptoms of her disease. Sometimes the effects of the illness hits her without warning and she loses consciousness. Harlow protects her until help comes. A woman passed out on the street may be ignored during these jaded times but Harlow makes sure someone comes to her aid.
And he has learned to do so much more.
He helps with the removal of clothing: https://www.instagram.com/p/BLcJbvMBzw-/?taken-by=helper_dog_harlow
He cleans the house:
He provides drinks:
And he helps in the kitchen
A very special dog indeed.. I am sorry my dog friends but it looks like Harlow has raised the bar quite high.
Fetching slippers may no longer get it done.
We knew Rory and he was a wonderful fella with a heart bigger than his body! As for Harlow, he really is setting the bar high!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
We knew Rory, we know the hole he is leaving is even bigger than he was. Harlow sounds like an amazing pup.
ReplyDeleteWe were so sad to hear about Rory - he was a BIG dog with a huge heart. We hope he is having a great time with all our Angels. And we think Lightning may have sensed Ciara's seizures coming on, the way he would stay by her side. Dogs have some amazing powers.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning and Misty
We have been following Harlow's education on Instagram.
ReplyDeleteWe Dogs are all special in one way or another, whether it's filling holes in human hearts or doing amazing work like service Dogs!
ReplyDeleteWe know that Rory's family is missing him. We will have to learn more about Harlow
ReplyDeletehugs
Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel
Rory was our friend, thank you for writing this story. What a beautiful dog Harlow is, and what a wonderful job she is doing. stella rose
ReplyDelete