It was a sticky-hot day in July. The kind of day that hangs on you heavy wet robe. Mary called and told me there was an injured dog on State Route 122. Someone had found it in their yard. They were giving it water and keeping it in the shade…. but they did not want to keep this “hair ball.” Not one bit. They said it was the ugliest dog they had ever seen in their entire life.
I went.
When I got there, in fact, I saw a small black motionless furry thing, laying in the grass. I approached cautiously, picked it up, and took it to the vet. As I walked through the lobby, cradling this dog in my arms… I announced to anyone who would listen… “This is not my dog. This is not my dog.” You see, I was a Golden Retriever Snob. Yes. I was a GRS at that time in my life. I did not want any other canines but those Beautiful, Majestic, Smart, Strong, Golden-Children-Retrievers.
So. Back to matted black furry thing in my arms. Diagnosis from the vet… a broken pelvis in four places, broken tail, broken teeth, tongue bitten clear through… and on. Would it make it? Maybe, but chances of that dog walking normally were slim to none. It was pretty young though… about 2 years old or so. So who could tell.
As it turned out… on that day…. Mary and I took that little dog in… to see if we could get it to mend.
About a half of a day later… the “it” turned into a “she.” Then a couple hours later… “she” got a name. Maxine Virginia Swift. By this point in time, she had won our hearts over… fast and furious.
She began to transform. Over the next few weeks, she limped less and less. It wasn’t long before she learned to run. She found her spunk.
And now… NOW…. 13 years later… she believes in her little Terrier Head.. that she is the mightiest creature on earth. And she lets everyone else relish in this well-known fact.
Why do I tell this story again?
Her spirit is mighty. She rose from a very desperate, and dark place. She transformed. She found love in her heart, and she felt that she was loved by others. I believe this was the key factor. Love. Knowing love…. in one’s heart and soul.
Love for others… and for ourselves… love is what matters most of all. That, and Milk Bone treats.
“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” — Mother Teresa
“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.” —
Ferdinand Foch
“…then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13