September 4, 2013

White Dog and The White Dog Army

Wonderful World Wednesday

White Dog and the rest know there is no more wonderful way to make a difference in the world than to reach out your paw and heart and help another who is need. A word, a gesture, a simple act of kindness can ease pain, lift hopelessness, break through isolation, and fill a heart.

We have recently experienced firsthand the restorative balm of caring compassion as you have all walked with us through Quinn’s final days and passing. Without your strength and shoulders to lean upon, the WDA and humans would have wrapped ourselves in the ache and bitterness of a gentle soul so tortured. Your time and efforts and soothing words, instead, helped us focus on the special depth and richness Quinn added to our lives and opened us to be able to understand that although he is no longer physically with us that he is still an active part of the WDA. We have learned to be grateful for the time we had together as well as for being able to grant our precious boy release from overwhelming pain…you helped us through that.

Quinn’s message to celebrate LIFE is one that we have tried to hold true to as part of his amazing legacy. In his last days Quinn and I were nearly inseparable and we had LOTS of opportunity to share and discuss.

Just a day before he left us, Quinn stopped me as I looked at Facebook postings on my computer. There was a sad photo of an Eskie dirty and matted and staring with chilling calm. He was on deathrow in Kentucky at a high-kill shelter. Quinn and I reminisced about another Eskie, him, in a similar spot in LA years ago. “Keep an eye on this boy,” Quinn told me. “He is going to need us.”

One of the last conversations we had before he left his body was my telling Quinn that the Kentucky boy had found an adopter and not to worry. “It is not done.” He told me. “He needs us.” Sure enough, the adoption fell through and the Kentucky boy was within hours of death. I read this sad news from a rescue friend in Indiana and knew what I had to do.

Steve was in class, unreachable and there was no time to waste. I called together the White Dog Army. “I know we are still reeling from Quinn leaving and that we still hurt. It is not the schedule I would have chosen to add a new recruit. But then again, NONE of you has come according to our schedule and we have never regretted the decision or the timing once. Quinn has sent this boy to us. He made that very clear. We need to decide right now…”

Five heads nodded in agreement and I looked into their eyes and found a confirmation of the heart. I took a deep breath and sent the same message I sent so many years ago about another Eskie…”Don’t worry. This boy is safe. We will bring him home.” Then I emailed Steve not to hate me but to call on break…somehow he already knew and just as firmly agreed.

Within hours our new boy was out of hell and headed to Indiana where my friend had him vetted (he had never been in his life) and has kept him as he recovered from kennel cough.

Tomorrow he arrives in Albuquerque at noon and the WDA will be there to welcome him with a forever commitment and love…

And he already has a White Dog Army name (thanks to Thunder from the OP Pack who conspired with Quinn and his earthbound family)…tomorrow we will honor the celebration of life and joyfully introduce our newest recruit…

Oh YES! Another White Dog (OY!AWD) It is a Wonderful world, isn't it?