Wyatt

It’s been a long winter for most of us in Oregon. What made it even more difficult was the loss of our dog, Wyatt. Fifteen years of faithful companionship is hard to get past. He loved going for car rides, he didn’t care where, he was truly just along for the ride. There  were special places , Julie’s parents home in Neskowin was certainly a special place. There he could romp around with his best pal “Sam” and chase the elk out of the yard when they would try to eat the tender leaves of the young Cherry trees that Julie’s Dad, Don, always seemed to be planting. Even in his final year the task of chasing the elk out of the yard was too tempting of a challenge to resist.

It was not the same coming home after a long day at work and not have somebody who was always thrilled to see you. For Wyatt, I’m sure that he is in a better place, but it has taken months to even think about bringing another companion into our lives.

Last week Brandy Jones, one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians (CVT’s) at Cornell Center Animal Hospital, and I traveled to Dallas, TX, to do some advanced training in Ultra Sound techniques. During the first day of class it was mentioned that all of the dogs available for this training were up for adoption. The next morning  before class, I went to the boarding area for the dogs and  immediately I was drawn to a smiling young dog at the far end of the room. I knew it was her I had come to see.

Etta is her name and she has reminded me how much I enjoy taking a walk with a companion. Wyatt in his later years could not walk much further than to the mailbox and back. I now look forward to getting home  and taking her out for a walk. One of the wonderful benefits of the human animal bond. It is as good for her as it is for me.

Greg Stanchfield DVM