For the first time in many years we find ourselves without a Golden Retriever in our house tonight.  Many came and stayed a few weeks, a few came to live out their lives with us, and we have supported many more with contributions, rides, and other gifts.  We are eternally grateful for the work of this organization and will continue to support its operations.   While not formally a GRR rescue dog, Shiloh was intimately involved with the program.  I wanted to share my thoughts on our wonderful friend with someone and thought perhaps the memorial section of the website would be a good place for this:
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Lon


Our Guest From Amarillo

Shiloh left us today.  She arrived from Amarillo nearly a decade ago and remained here in Austin to help our family adjust to the pace of modern life.  We affectionately called her “Speedbump” because of her unhurried lifestyle and her gentle ways.  It was not possible to be angry or hurried or alone as long as Shiloh was in the room and we shall miss her a great deal. 

Shiloh was a quiet and slim rescue dog that my sister Ameka obtained for us in Amarillo and then delivered to us in Lubbock.  She sat quietly in the back seat of my pickup for the six hour drive home and occasionally poked her nose up over the center console to get petted.  I remember laughing at the notion that there is nothing more Texan than a man and his dog driving from Lubbock to Austin in a pickup truck.  I can't say if she thought it was quite as funny as I did, but she was always a good listener and, unlike my family, never complained about my jokes.  I remember thinking even then that she had the softest coat and the saddest eyes of any dog we ever had.  Because we had a long drive and plenty of time to talk, she and I made a deal on the way home.  I offered her a home for as long as she wanted to stay and all she had to do was to be herself.   Best darn deal I ever made. 

Happily, and in typical rescue dog fashion, she loved the new home and all the new people and dogs with which she shared it.  As a volunteer for Gold Ribbon Rescue service here in Austin I visited over fifty prospective adoptive families who were looking for Golden Retrievers of their own.  Shiloh went with me on most of those visits and she was always a big hit because of her laid back style and soft blonde fur.  I believe much of that softness came from the fact that she never embraced the habits of our other dogs that lived just to get wet and dirty and share it with us.  Shiloh hated getting wet so much she wouldn't walk on wet grass - and, as nearly as we can tell, she never actually retrieved anything either.  Retriever she was not, but Golden she was - the perfectly coiffed blonde pet that every child loved.  I can honestly say many, many dogs now have wonderful homes because she made such a good impression during those home visits. 

Sadly, and also in typical rescue dog fashion, she had her share of health issues.  She suffered occasional mild epileptic seizures and we knew her hips were eventually going to cause her some problems as she aged.  She was having lots of problems lately getting about and to help her maintain traction on our slick stone floors we bought her some sled dog boots.  They were bright red with boots with black trim and their gripper soles really helped her as she hobbled around.   Of course she brought a unique and funny slant to her infirmity, making a noise like forty pairs of flip-flops passing when she walked and entertaining all the neighbors with her stylish red footgear.  She was responding to treatment for what we thought was arthritis until last week when her left knee suddenly swelled badly.  After a consultation with the vet, X-ray tests suggested we should biopsy the leg. 

 Yesterday we got a call from the Vet saying last week’s biopsy results were not good.  The sore leg that had hobbled her for weeks was caused by aggressive bone cancer and was not going to heal.  Because it was Mother’s day weekend both our sons were in town so everybody got to say goodbye to our quiet golden dog.   The only decision left to make was the time and date for the last ride. 

Today our guest from Amarillo took that last ride with me and I read the words of goodbye below to her as I have repeated them for Cal and Dusty, Tippy and Angel,  Ben, and Angus before her.  My heart is heavy despite the knowledge that her suffering is ended.  She passed away at 3:40 this afternoon, cradled tightly against my chest, her death as peaceful and gentle as the life she led.   However, I think I shall always smile when I recall that, as befitting a dog from Amarillo, she died with her boots on....and maybe I'll cry a bit too...

 “Goodbye faithful friend.  It is my duty to be here for you now; to stay by your side as you have stayed by mine; to feel the warmth of your ears and watch your eyes close in peaceful slumber one last time; to love you as you loved all of us; to stand witness for you at this final moment; and to promise to remember and celebrate the beauty and uniqueness of your life as long as I shall live.”

Lon