Mark Wilkoff from St. Lunaire Griquet wrote on November 18, 2014:
“Our 14 year old Australian shepherd, Sydney, died peacefully this afternoon. Sydney gave us 14 years of unconditional love. It was the kind of love you find very few places in this world. God gave us Sydney to become a special part of our heart. Those of you who have pets know the sadness we feel today.”
Sydney in his home (Photo Linda Wilkoff)
Mark`s wife Linda Wilkoff wrote this text weeks before Sydney`s passing. Although it talks mostly about her second dog Charlie, we would like to share it with you because it captures the essence of caring for and understanding dogs.
Dog Memories
I have two, wonderfully old adopted dogs, Sydney and Charlie. They have been my best friends for the last fourteen and twelve years. When they were younger, I used to take them to L’Anse aux Meadows for their daily three or four mile walks. But as the years have passed, I decided to cut back on the distance and sometimes not take them at all.
However, lately I decided to take them again, but at a shorter distance ….maybe just a mile. This was one of my better ideas as the results have been memorable.
Since they are unable to get into a car anymore without assistance, I use a ramp or the good old lifting method. They go for rides and with us always, but walking has not been done. Suddenly, we were off on a walking trip, back to our old walking site, L’Anse aux Meadows.
Their reaction was amazing!! Both dogs knew immediately where they were. Their butts wiggled and their noses started working full time. Back and forth on the road, old familiar smells, same friendly birds, the sea air, and breeze were there to greet them.
I know my dogs love the outdoors and they get to run and play in the ocean at our house. But this old energy was pure happiness for them and a joyful sight for me.
Years ago, when Lucy Colbourne (who is now in grade twelve and lives at Lax Meadows) was a little girl she would always walk with us, up and back holding one of the dogs and the dogs loving Lucy.
I share this because our dog Charlie does not like everyone. But when he met Lucy ten years ago he knew right away that she was a kind soul and a person he could trust. Over the last ten years, each and every time we would walk by Lucy’s house, Charlie would always pause, glance toward her house as if to say, “Will Lucy be joining us today?”
Sometimes she was there and would walk with us, other times not. But every time, Charlie would pause and wait. This last walk was exciting for Charlie and me.
As we got closer to Lucy’s house, Charlie looked into her driveway, as always waiting to see if Lucy would join us. We stood there and to our amazement….Lucy saw us and came out to see Charlie. We were all walking down Memory Lane…. Charlie showed his excitement toward Lucy, he did his Aussie smile and butt wiggle, but most of his entire walk (although shorter) brought back happy memories for him, Lucy, and me.
In our busy worlds with so much negative happening; wars, violence, sadness. A walk can so easily bring joy to our hearts and clarity to our minds. So, the next time, you decide to take a walk … Take your best friend along. Everyone will feel better. Trust me, this last walk made me also realize that our dogs love the different sights, sounds, smells, and friendships (old and new).”
