In Loving Memory

Merribuck became, and remains, very important to me and no work or statement of my life would be complete without her. She was a Border/Sheltie mix and there could not exist a more tender, sweet and loving spirit. Merri allowed me to blossom in those areas important to nurturing and mothering.

I had made sure that my brother and sister had food and made it to school. I held them in my arms at night when they ran to my bed for protection during those horrendous fights. But, we were surviving, and love under those circumstances was different. It was more fierce than gentle, more militant than nurturing. With Merribuck, I learned the sweet, soft, cuddle-kind of love. I learned a new kind of protectiveness. I learned how to play, to cajole, to pat and pet, hug and stroke, kiss and aahhhhhhhh, just immerse myself in loving another being without fear, without looking over my shoulder in fear, without fear of loss!

Excerpt from Son of My Soul - The Adoption of Christopher

Something to reflect on as you live and lead each day ...

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Blue
Heeler named Belker. The dog's owners - Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy,
Shane - were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there
were no miracles left for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia
procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good
for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane could
learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family
surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that
I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed
to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the
sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of this mouth next stunned me
-I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life -
like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued,
"Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as
long."