Daisy, a caring and dedicated Border Collie, has cared for Max and Bella since they were puppies. They were not her biological children, but she adopted them as her own. They developed an unbreakable bond, creating a family unit defined by love, not blood.
Daisy was getting older, and her quick steps were fading. Her loyal companions, Max, an elderly golden retriever, and Bella, an energetic beagle, cared for her as she had done for them all their lives. They felt her pain, her declining health, and her weakness.
Daisy’s illness worsens, and Max and Bella become her caregivers. They would caress her, provide comfort with gentle licks, and stay by her side all day and night. The roles have been reversed, and they seem to have realized that it is their turn to care for their sick mother.
Max, with his deep, loving eyes, slept close to Daisy, his presence bringing comfort. Bella, who was usually full of energy, took it upon herself to be Daisy’s fun distraction, bringing some joy to her otherwise terrible days.
Daisy realized her time was running out one sunny afternoon as she slept in her favorite spot in the garden, surrounded by the flowers she loved. Max and Bella noticed the gravity in the air, anticipating the big change that was about to happen.
Max and Bella approached Daisy gently, one on each side. They laid their heads on her, as if they were silently pledging to be there for her until the end. Daisy stared at them, her eyes filled with gratitude and love for her loyal friends.
Daisy walked away quietly as the sun fell below the horizon, sending a warm orange glow across the grass. Her sweethearts Max and Bella were present, comforting her as she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Max and Bella’s eyes filled with tears as they looked at their dead mother. They were lost from their Lord, who protected them and loved them like her own. However, the love they felt for Daisy and the love she gave them will live in their hearts forever.
In the days that followed, Max and Bella found comfort in each other’s company. Their friendship, formed from their shared love for Daisy, grows stronger. They often sat together in the garden, surrounded by Daisy’s favorite flowers, as if sharing fond memories of their mother.
Max and Bella’s sad farewell to their ill mother, Daisy, is an example of the extraordinary relationships that can be built between dogs and their adopted family members.
In a world where love knows no bounds, Max and Bella show that a dog’s love and commitment to their adoptive family is as deep and unbreakable as any other dog.
Their narrative serves as a reminder of the beauty of love and the lasting connections that make life more meaningful.
Guide Dogs of America Needs Volunteer ‘Puppy Raisers’
Working with wonderful woofers, the sort of furry joy-bringers that make a difference in people’s lives?
Pitching in with a pack of incredible pups can make a lasting impression on a person’s mind, outlook, and, for sure, their spirit, too.
And that chance to lend a hand, your time, some empathy and understanding, and a whole lot of love is coming up, on Dec. 11, thanks to a “puppy raiser” training session with Guide Dogs of America.
This is a virtual happening, via Zoom, and it will be the final online information event before in-person gatherings return to the Sylmar campus in 2022.
Guide Dogs of American pairs trained pups with “… individuals who are blind/visually impaired and service dogs for veterans and children with autism,” with dogs also being placed in “hospitals, schools, and courtrooms.”
“Our highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient,” states the organization on its site.
And helping the organization achieve its mission?
Puppy raisers, those dedicated volunteers who are among some of the first people a young, in-training dog gets to know, trust, and adore.
If you choose to pursue volunteering for this life-changing role, there’ll be a few initial considerations, as well as matters you’ll want to mull.
One consideration? Where you reside. You and the puppy in your care will need to call upon the Sylmar campus on occasion, and attendance at both monthly puppy group meetings and “puppy kindergarten classes” is required.
The Dec. 11 information session will address what you can expect from meetings and classes, as well as what at-home life will be like with the future guide dog you’re helping to raise.
Questions covered include the breeds and types of puppies that volunteers raise, what can be expected in terms of puppy proofing and such, what out-of-pocket expenses might look like, and how long the puppy will live in your home.
And, yes: “(W)hat happens when the dogs ‘go off to college’ to begin formal training” is also a central topic of the session, as well as how dogs are paired with their forever people once they’ve graduated.
The word straight from Sylmar? “We ALWAYS need puppy raisers,” says Stephanie Colman, the coordinator of the puppy program.
So even if you can’t join the December Zoom, you can plan to attend an in-person information session on the Guide Dogs of America campus, in early 2022.
Could this be your new year’s resolution?
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