Farewell Party
I hate goodbyes, preferring to say, “I’ll be seeing you!” When I wind that a good-bye party was in the planning for me, I said a polite no thank you, nice of you to offer, but I’m just far too emotional for that! Everyone accepted that, or so I thought.
Early in the afternoon, the phone rang. One of the gals who helps with the dog rescue work I’ve been involved in said she was passing though town. She was a Gaby’s (friend) having a coffee, with a dog that she was taking to a foster home. She said the dog was a tiny female Pomeranian. I have been thinking of getting a Pommie as I love the breed, and Jasper could use a playmate. Did I want to come and take a look at her?
Those gals knew exactly what to say to get me out of the house. I bought the entire line. Jasper and I drove over. I walked in the door, the place erupted with, “Surprise!!” I could see a table with a huge decorated cake, gifts, decorations and dogs. We counted 21 dogs of all sizes and breed. Included in the group were all my rescued dogs with their owners. They had gone to a lot of trouble to plan this, to get everyone from far away to gather…and I didn’t have a clue what was going on. I knew I’d cry buckets before the day was over. There was nothing to do but enjoy it.
The bigger dogs were hustled outside to the back yard with the kids. The little ones stayed inside, dashing from room to room, barking, sniffing, a few wee growls here and there over toys, but they were having a great time. So many people were there, owners of dogs that I had placed into their care, they had brought those wonderful dogs with them. My neighbors, friends, all dog lovers. None of them had seen my Maltese without his long beautiful coat. He looks like a different dog, but short hair suits him.
As I mingled, ate cake, drank coffee by the gallon, the conversation was all dogs. The stories, some so heartbreaking ending, usually ending with a dog finding a forever home. We talked about the stress of the work we do. We laughed till we cried over some of the wild things we had to put up with. When emotions got to the point where we were all in tears, someone shouted, “The big dogs are out.” Now there was something we all knew how to do. Work with dogs on the run.
I know I’m going to relive that next hour of my life, for as long as I live. The big dogs, nine in all, had only managed to make it into a nearby alley. Most of us were carrying our small dogs. We split up, meeting at the far end of the alley the dogs were walking along. Those big fellas took one look at the gang of women as we walked towards them, and headed right back where they came from. They were stumbling, falling over each other, just pounding the pavement to get back into the yard. One was a Border Collie. He decided to slink in behind us to herd the pack of noisy humans. When we go back to the house, those dear big dogs were stuffed into a corner of the yard watching us very warily. The Collie kept bumping the back of our legs, trying to herd us into the pack of big dogs. We went along with it, as that Border Collie was having such fun. What a photo that made. We’re all scrunched into a corner, laughing like demented things, while that smug Border sat a few feet away, daring us to move. I haven’t laughed so hard in years.
It was time to open the gifts. Oh my, a handmade quilt for me with Maltese dogs on it, Jasper received a new bed, a variety of things with Maltese dogs decorating each item, a new purse, (my old one so badly doggie chewed I held it together with duct tape) organic treats for Jasper, chocolates for me (YESSS) toys galore, and a special waterproof cushion to take with me when I’m sitting on the ground in the wet and cold, waiting on a dog to come to me.
The last gift, had me bawling. It was a blown up picture, with photo’s of all the dogs I had helped since living in this area. On the bottom were small pictures of the new owners, with heartwarming messages. I was a mess. Some women can cry daintily, not me. I finally put a lid on it when Jasper got upset.
The party over, it the the time I hated most, saying good-bye. Once again they pleased me well, by hustling out the door in two’s and three’s, cheerfully saying, “Well, I’ll be seeing you. I took my leave feeling warm and loved. More than that I got a good close up of how important our work with dogs is. The hours of frustration, tears, training, long drives, sky high phone bills, vet bills, and all done by people who help and love dogs. I’m gonna miss them. But there is a new town ahead, I have a feeling my work will carry on.
