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...