Hi dog buddies,
The best medicine for a human is a dog buddy.
That’s what Liberty, a 15-month-old German shepherd/basenji mix, told me.
“Bonzo, I knew when I was born I had a special duty to fulfill. But I wouldn’t know what it was right away.”
“Uh oh,” I said. “Sounds ominous.”
Liberty looked at me slightly puzzled. ”No, it doesn’t Bonzo,” he said. “Now pay attention.
“I live in Central Beach with my wonderful humans, Sandy and Terry Konstantinidis.
“Oh, and I have a feline roommate,” Liberty said. “Her name is Koukla. Terry is Greek and was born in Athens. Koukla means ‘doll’ in Greek.”
“I’m not a fan of felines,” I said.
“There’s no love lost between Koukla and me, but we tolerate each other,” Liberty said.
“So, anyway, Bonzo, enough about Koukla. A year ago last February, I was living in a foster home in Wellington. One Friday afternoon, Sandy and Terry came to visit me. I saw Terry and I knew the duty I was born to fulfill had something to do with him. I felt like there was sadness and anger coming from Terry. That Sunday, Sandy and Terry came back to pick me up.
“On the car ride home, I curled up in Sandy’s arms and took a nice nap,” Liberty said.
While Liberty weighs 70 pounds now, he was just a little puppy at the time.
“Sandy said it was enchanting. I felt like I was home. The following morning, Terry and I were the first to get up,” Liberty said. “Terry walked me outside to the patio and we sat down to have a heart to heart.
“Terry told me he was only 61 years old and was recovering from quadruple bypass surgery because he had a heart attack. Terry said the situation had made him depressed and mad.”
“Wow, Liberty,” I said. “That’s some pretty heavy stuff. What did you say then?”
“Oh, Bonzo,” Liberty said. “I said what any good dog buddy would say. I told Terry we were going to start having some fun. We were going to go for walks, play and learn how to be happy again.”
“And have you done that?’ I asked.
“We sure have,” Liberty said. “We walk to the dog park twice a day. I’ve shown Terry how to look at life differently. I’ve shown him how to appreciate the little things most humans take for granted.”
“Like what, Liberty?’ I asked.
“Like the way the dew sits on the flowers in the morning or how each blade of grass is unique,” Liberty said. “Or at night time, how many stars are in the sky shining over the dog park.”
“Wow, Liberty,” I said. “You’re a pawsome dog buddy.”
“You know, Bonz,” Liberty said. “You could say I saved Terry’s life, and he saved mine.”
That sounds to me like an understatement.
Till next time,
The Bonz
