The Story behind this Picture

GARY AND MAGGIE

I have had many dogs throughout my whole life, from dogs growing up as a child to adopting several dogs in adulthood. Currently my wife and I have adopted two wonderful puppies from a local rescue.

We added a new addition, a wonderful Australian Shepherd puppy who will be raised to be a working service dog for the founder and president of Red Ink Hope. You can read more about her on the ‘Home’ page.

However, the dog picture above, Maggie, was a very special dog to me personally. Maggie as a puppy and throughout her life, was a natural therapy companion. I use the term natural, she never had any training to become a service pet. She had a very caring heart and was never scared of my pain. Very often when I was experiencing a tremendous amount of pain, she would come and lay on my chest. She was the only dog I’ve ever adopted who got closer to me the more pain I was experiencing. This picture is a very special picture, it was taken the day she left our family. Maggie lived almost 12 years, but had developed an inoperative tumor. Although I was the one that took her to the vet for the last time, this picture is the one I carry in my heart, this is where we both said ‘goodbye’.