A Tribute to My Dog, Summer, Upon Her Retirement As a Therapy Dog

A Tribute to My Dog, Summer, Upon Her Retirement as a Therapy Dog

October 1st 2009

Dear faithful one, as you retire from nine years of community service as a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog, I find myself with mixed emotions – sadness that it’s over, yet smiling as I remember those special moments when you touched the heart of a child, an elderly person in a nursing home or a university student missing their pet at home.

Your gentle ways were a comfort to many. You are joy itself! When you are happy, it shines in your eyes and you seem to be laughing! When you and I work or play together, you sparkle and radiate and your joy is so contagious! When you dance with me in musical freestyle, and it is just the two of us, it is as though there is nothing else in the world you would rather be doing.

From your repertoire of tricks, I think everyone’s favourite was when you did your impression of “Lassie” and saved Timmy from the well. It always brought such laughter! I wonder whatever happened to that little well and the little doll that you used to pull out of it. I must have left it somewhere. It made me laugh when you carried the doll to me on its little ribbon and then flung it at me with a toss of your head. It was so funny the way you gave a little jump and then hit me with the doll – it looked like you were throwing it at me - because you had not yet learned how to drop it into my hand. How it made the children howl!

So many endearing moments, Summer. I think your favourite “gig” was visiting the university students at the Saugeen student residence during their exam time. As soon as we entered the building, I could tell you knew where you were going and were looking forward to it. I’ll never forget the way the students would toss an inflatable ball to you and you would give a little jump up and bounce it back to them, off your nose, over and over again, never tiring of the game!

My beautiful girl, do you remember our years together visiting McCormick Home and how I would sit you up on a chair so the seniors could pet and cuddle you?

I think the most special moments of all were the times you spent with the children at Merrymount. For almost six years, you helped me teach the children about treating animals with kindness, compassion and respect. They learned to pet you with soft and gentle hands and how to read your body language. You were so amazingly tolerant and sweet with them. It was with such sadness that I knew the day had finally come when it was to be your last visit. I could see how you were beginning to tire quickly and subtle signs of stress were beginning to show. You are 12 and a half years old now, with the chronic illnesses that plague an older dog, and I think you and I both know it is time. Perhaps some day those children, when they are all grown up, will tell their own children all about you.

As for me, I can’t begin to tell you the comfort you bring to your mistress. I have always thought of you as my guardian angel. No matter where I put myself, you are there at my feet, almost as though you were velcroed to my shoes, keeping watch over me.

But now, the years have taken their toll upon you and it is clear the time has come for you to enjoy a well- deserved rest.

Thank you, dear companion and most loved of dogs, for all the years of joy you brought to so many as a Therapy Dog. Now it’s just you and me, kid (and Sandy, of course!)

- Mom Memorial Tribute for “The Bridge” on Gateway’s website

My beautiful Summer was my guardian angel. No matter where I put myself, she was there at my feet, keeping watch over me. Some of the most special moments I spent with Summer were her Therapy Dog visits with the children at Merrymount. For almost six years, she helped me teach the children about treating animals with kindness, compassion and respect. They learned to pet my dog with soft and gentle hands and they learned how to read her body language. She was so amazingly tolerant and sweet with the children. My girl brought such joy to so many. It was a well-lived life for a much loved dog.

Summer’s plot number on “The Bridge” is 6C1U4 .