Thursday, March 15, 2012

Family Dog

Deb: I went on to Facebook last night to see if there was a charming video or the like to share on the blog. My friend Moira Dunphy had posted this. It was the first story I read and it struck me to my very core. I got her kind permission to share it with you. The dog’s name is Cahill, rhymes with Pal. 

Moira: I'd like to tell you a story. It is about a boy and a dog. Only this boy had Tourettes, and often felt frustrated and isolated. And the dog actually belonged to the boy's grandma. Boy and dog meet from time to time, love playing together. But when the dog is 9 & the boy is 13, the families move in together, and from that very first night the dog and boy are in love. But the Tourettes gets worse. The boy is horrified that sometimes his tics make him suddenly pinch or squeeze the dog. Every time, the boy's face freezes in pain when the dog winces or gives a whimper or yalp. And every time, without fail, that dog-in-love would immediately turn his face to the boy and give him a big lick. "It's ok" his eyes would say, "I'm not hurt, I know you didn't mean it." and the boy would relax and continue to pet and play with him. And today, the dog-loves-boy-loves-dog story ended. The 12&1/2 yr. old dog, at peace but dying with tumours, was put down, already half-asleep, with such gentleness. The boy could not leave the car and come into the clinic, but the dog turned around and gave him one last kiss. The grandma gave him the dog's collar, and he does not want to let it out of his grasp. Thank you, dog. Well done, my good and faithful servant...

37 comments:

  1. It is amazing that joy a pet can bring - the unconditional love and acceptance. Whenever Odin (my son) is very stressed, he goes and finds our cat Snoopy (Snoopy is less skittish than our other cat, Independent) for hugs and cuddles as Odin tries to express how he's feeling to the cat,and reduce the anxiety.

    Moira, I'm so sorry for the loss of a great support for your son, and the loss for the family. *HUGS* <-- offered.

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    1. Thanks Jo, I will pass this lovely message on to Moira. I am so glad that Odin has Snoopy to tell his secrets to.

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  2. Wow, what an amazing story. They were lucky to have one another. I am glad that the dog was able to bring comfort to the boy for a while and I hope the thought and memories help comfort him in the future. Animals are so amazing, they seem to know our stories from the start and they adapt to suit our needs rather than us adapting to them. They take care of us.

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    1. You are so right Steph. THEY take care of US! Truer words...

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  3. What a beautiful story. I am so sorry for the loss of Cahill, what an exceptional dog who made such a difference in that family's life. my heart goes out to them.

    You don't have to convince me of the loving power of animals. While my mother was alive, I used to take our red lab Rudy to the Briton House Retirement home to visit. It used to take me an hour to get to my mother alone. So many people wanted to pat or hug Rudy and he became very loving and patient with all the residents putting his head gently in their laps and taking his time until they were finished. This was amazing because he was only 1 and 1/2 and this puppy suddenly became mature, gentle and wise and gave himself to the people while he was there. It was stunning to see this. I could go on and on about animal stories and how they have gently helped people in need. That is a beautiful story you shared with us this morning Deb.

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    1. You are welcome Mary-Jo. I asked Moira if it was okay and she said yes. It's funny you should mention Rudy because many of the nursing homes that Colin and I toured had visiting dogs. The people running the homes say it is the residents favourite day when the animals come for a visit!

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  4. Aww this story got to me and actually made me tear up. It's such a sad but beautiful story. The love that the boy shared for his dog and the love that the dog had with the boy was just amazing. It's just amazing how people can bond with a pet . I have both cats and dogs and have formed a little special bond with them all.

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    1. I am glad you have loving pets in your life Lyndsie and I know that this boy will never forget his special friend.

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  5. Awwwh !!! This is sucha beautiful story....Animals are really amazing aren't they....??? So full of LOVE !!! and all they give is love....so beautiful..!
    Ive always been close to animals....! when I was a kid....I would stay all day at my aunts coz My mom had to work... My aunt had 3 beautiful cats...and one of them was very close to me...And I remember one incident............every day after lunch she would take a nap.....and I would be watching cartoons as always....so she would come to me and nap on my lap......and one day I was very sick....and I home alone and was laying down on the couch and watching TV ...when this little furball enters the living room....looks at me like "oh....you're sick ???" she came to me ......and slept between both my feet...resting her little head on one of my toes.... and woke up in the evening looked at me like "you sure you're ok ??" and then went off to play with the other kittens....
    That day my cute little furry friend didnt want me to be lonely when I was sick !! Just a cute little incident I wanted to share....

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    1. Wow Shalaka, I love that furry little tale!

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  6. Animals have a way of soothing pain and suffering by giving unconditional love.

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  7. It's true Madge isn't it? The Unconditional.

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  8. Oh no...that's so cute, but also so sad...I do hope the boy feels better, soon. And that he can get help.

    Pets are amazing! I think they feel, when you're not doing well.

    I have a friend, who suffers from depression and borderline syndrome (and harms herself and what not), her family is dogsitting a friend's dog.

    The dog always comes to her, never leaves her side, when she's feeling bad, and snuggles up against her, as if she wanted to tell her: Don't worry. I'm here with you.

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    1. Becki maybe another dog will come into the young boys life in time. I hope so.

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  9. Very beautiful story no one gives unconditional love like an animal can. My son has Aspergers and he got a lot of comfort from his giant cat when no one else could reach him.

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    1. Mary that's lovely. Yes cats can do it too. Animals in general I think. They speak to us in other ways that make up for their lack of speech.

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  10. Moira has some wonderful strength to be able to write this. Send her a hug from me, please.

    A long-time friend of the family is in a nursing home/assisted living facility. Alice has always had dogs (pugs, mostly). Once a week or so, a dog comes in and visits the residents. Alice's daughter said it's the most amazing thing to see how everyone reacts to the dog. He/she adds a spark of life to the patients, and especially her mother. It makes her cry when she calls us, to be reminded again how much dogs still mean to her mother, and how comforting they still are.

    People who don't own pets don't understand that these animals aren't just something else to feed and clean up after and take out. They're special souls who touch lives in so many ways for so many people. Each relationship is different, but every one is caring and unconditional.

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  11. What we really need to learn from our pets is acceptance. Accepting, and loving, each other unconditionally, and valuing the importance to "just be" with another. Sometimes, for some people, it is easier to interact with a pet because there is no judging, no soul-destroying reprisal for any perceived (be it self-perceived or from others) "infraction". Pets "just be". Maybe we need to "just be" too.

    (And I don't know if I'm explaining this. My brain is feeling very fuzzy today, and this day is a loooooong one).

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    1. Jo I think it's a perfect explanation. Just be with one another. I also think they teach us the power of allowing silence when we are with others. I think we all fear silence when with someone else. Silence can be a lovely thing.

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  12. awww I love all animals so much and this is such a great tale. I feel for the boy and hope he can find a new animal friend soon.
    Animals are always ready and there with that unconditional love : )
    We had 2 beagles who we got when they were both puppies. My daddy used them for hunting dogs but I had a close bond with them. Then when the older one was 18 (yes he was an old dog ) His back legs just stopped working...we think from arthritis. but we had to put him down. Kacie..the other beagle...was so sad that she died three months later. she was 16 so the vet said it was probably just her age , but i think she just missed her friend too much.
    it is amazing how smart animals can be and just know that us humans need a lick or just to pet them for a while. It is amazing how much they can care for their animal conpanions too.

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    1. Two beagles??? I love Beagles so much. Lovely dogs. And look how smart Snoopy is! :-) I think animals are very intuitive. They cannot speak so they feel so much. I am sure Kacie just didn't want to live without her old friend.

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  13. Oh my gosh...this hits so close, Deb and Moira!

    Almost two years ago our beloved Raven was put to sleep. She was 11 years old. We grew up with that dog. She was the sweetest; wouldn't hurt a fly even if she wanted to. Animals really are something, aren't they? :)

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  14. Animals are really something. Yes Holly, I don't know what I would do without mine. Darling little creatures.

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  15. The love of an animal is one of the most pure forms. Unconditional and always offerred. Love it, love my dog, love my cat, and well I haven't got anything against the fish.

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    1. Man you gals are making me laugh these last few days-"and I haven't got anything against the fish!" Classic.

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  16. What a sweet story, sad too. I'm so happy that the boy got to have a non-judgemental friend for so long. It must have been a comfort to Moira, too, to know that her son had something to love and love him back (other than herself and the family, of course) ;)

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    1. It was a comfort to Moira for sure. I think it is killing her that the dog has passed away. But she is one of the strongest people I have known and she will find some way to make this a good strong sweet memory for them.

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  17. i volunteered as a kennel hand for an animal shelter last year and this makes me think of how good tempered the dogs i dealt with there were . some of them were victims of cruelty , abandonment or neglect. others were given over to the shelter as due to the recession their owners could no longer afford to look after them . all the dogs seemed be happy to get some human kindness a walk or 2 and some food . i always remember one really good natured dog . he was a Staffordshire bull terrier . took him ages to be adopted as the staffies have a bad reputation, totally undeserved . i would do a morning shift on a Wednesday which involved cleaning kennels . once that was done he and i would go in the runs and play . i am glad to say he did go to a good home eventually .
    i also remember my own 3 dogs . we had 3 Airedale terriers , one after the other . penny , jenny and penny 2 ( OK i admit we were not very original at naming them though in fairness we inherited penny 1 form a neighbor !) when you get home in a bad mood nothing like a canine welcome.

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    1. Lovely story Linda. I am glad the wee Staffie got a good home. And you are so right. There is nothing like walking through the door tired and stressed and having a wagging tail swish it all away.

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  18. Pet therapy. It works! I'm a big advocate for it!!! I remember when my old Raven used to be around I could just sit there, hug her and talk to her. She wouldn't move; she was the peaceful force of the house when everyone was crazy. :]

    I miss her. Think about her a lot. Especially around this time of year; the 2 year anniversary of her passing is on the 20th of this month.

    P.S. Congratulate my sister. She got a job interview next week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Pet therapy is wonderful I agree Kelly. Two years and I bet you miss Raven every day. We miss Frisker all the time especially when it's windy. Good luck to your sis with the job interview!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  19. Oh, now I've loved reading these odes to pets! I have to add my own little dog story. If I'm upset, Chaplin often gets quiet and docile, laying down facing away from me. It made me wonder if he's one of the few dogs not interested in taking on my doldrums! Then I noticed how he acts when the girls are upset. He follows them around, he tries urgently to lick their faces, he searches for a toy (seemingly certain that this will make it all better) and urges them to play. It makes me wonder if -- because I'm the "mom" -- he tries to be strong and silent for me instead of cute and cuddly. Like he has a different healing method for each of us!

    PS Kelly, congrats and good luck!!! xoxo

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  20. Thanks for posting, Deb, I am gratified people feel a connection to the story, and thrilled to see the dialogue here about this amazing gift our pets are waiting to give. I found out from my brother that watching this story unfold is what convinced him that his family - and most families- should have a dog. The boy is very sad, but is a teenager, so can't express his feelings much. But twice now he has sat beside me, his face tight, so I just reminisce about Cahill, while he sniffles and nods his head. Sigh.
    Moira

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    1. my best to you and your son Moira .i know myself how hard it is to loose a beloved pet .

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    2. Thanks Linda, as you can see, she has been checking in and so appreciative of everyone's loving comments.

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  21. Oh Moira, God love him it must be so painful and all the more painful because of his age and his feelings that he feels he must hide. You are a great Mother my friend. These tiny moments you give her are huge for him. Continue to heal and know that we are thinking about you. xo

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