Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Saying Good-bye to a Good Friend...



Today we are remembering a service dog named Destry.  On April 22, 2013, Destry was pts. He had been diagnosed with Cancer within the last several months, and had declined rapidly over the weekend. He is now at the Rainbow Bridge to wait for his Momma.  



Destry was a handsome, well-behaved Belgian Sheepdog boy.  Rowena and I have had the opportunity to meet Destry and his human, Elaine, when we all attended a service dog meet up (2007 & 2008) in Washington D. C..  I have enjoyed watching this handsome boy turn into a loyal service dog over the years and know that Elaine is really missing him right now.  Losing a service dog is like no other pain.  These wonderful dogs work hard for us and play hard with us for years.  They are with us literally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  When a service dog dies, this absence is deeply felt. My heart is with Elaine as she grieves this loss.  I dread when it is my turn to grieve losing Rowena.  It is inevitable.





Destry and Elaine are from Texas.



For more about Elaine & Destry the Service Dog:
http://www.disabilitysa.org/real-people.htm

(Scroll down to the very bottom of that page and you will find Elaine and Destry's story.)




UPDATE:
Elaine now has a new puppy, a Belgian Sheepdog named Dash, who she is training to fill Destry's pawprints. Dash is from the same breeder.  I wish Elaine the very best with training this little guy.  I know Dash can't replace Destry, but Dash can help sooth that aching heart of Elaine's.  I am sure Destry is looking down, relieved that Dash is now there with her.