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Oreo, our spoiled female English Springer Spaniel, came into our lives when she was rescued during the week of 9/11 by the English Springer Rescue of the Rockies. Abandoned by her two previous owners, Oreo’s separation anxiety issues have spawned guilt issues in my husband, Tom and me. Oreo, who bonded more closely with Tom, has decided that since I’m home on disability, I’ll do in a pinch when Tom is unavailable.
Oreo’s predecessor was Darby, another Springer that we purchased as a puppy in 1983, when we lived in Canada. We fell in love with this breed with their floppy ears, intense brown eyes, liver and white coats and sweet temperaments.
Both Darby and I were adventurous and active during my pre-Parkinson’s days. Darby, a brave dog, chased a grizzly bear and big horn sheep in the Canadian Rockies. When we moved to California, her favorite pastime was swimming in the Pacific Ocean. She accompanied me on my early morning five-mile runs. Darby passed away in 1999.
Two years later when we adopted Oreo, she loved to run and catch balls as if she was the catcher for the Colorado Rockies Baseball team. Now arthritic at the age of eleven, Oreo has slowed down and became stiff like me with Parkinson’s. Oreo enjoys belly-rubs, and petting her calms me. She doesn’t judge me with my Parkinson’s. Oreo, a faithful companion, demonstrates with her gratitude that I’ll do in a pinch.
Photo: Copyright © 2007 Deborah Fryer, www.lilafilms.com
Oh thank you for sharing this. I miss my black and white springer Samantha so much. She saw me through days of chemo and would come up and nuzzle my hand if just a hint of a tear appeared.
Dogs are the most wonderful of companions anyway, but when a person is facing an illness, a dog is even better since they are non-judging as you point out. They love us no matter. You are blessed to have known Darby and Oreo for so long.
I do have a granddog liver and white springer in my life but he is far away in Chicago. One day, I'll have one of these critters in my life again.
Posted by: sheila | September 17, 2007 at 07:10 AM