Today I looked up on the shelf that houses photographs of my children, and within each frame was our dog, Nellie. It’s funny because whenever I would pose the children for a picture she would come behind them and pose too. It was as if she knew what a picture was, and she too wanted to be remembered. Nellie always happened to be wherever my children were. If we went to the grocery store, she rode along with us. If we went to the lake, she went too. From the moment I saw Nellie, I fell in love with her.
My ex-sister-in-law's dog was having puppies. I had never seen a dog give birth before so I asked her to please call me when she went into labor. When her dog began popping them out she called, and I grabbed my children and away we went. A miracle was happening, and I didn't want any of us to miss it. When we arrived we heard, “In here. She’s having another one.” This tiny, beautiful, white and black-spotted, Australian Shepherd had arrived, and after her mother had finished cleaning her off, she yawned... that was the moment I said, "We'll take her!" Six weeks later, Nellie came into our home, and our lives were never the same.
Nellie was something different for everyone, but each of our best friend. She drove with me to take the kids to school. She went down to the barn with me every morning as I fed all our farm animals. She would watch the baby pigs under the heat lamp, or lick one for me to help stimulate the baby's breathing. She would be wherever I needed her to be, and I loved her. When we had a Pumpkin Patch, and thousands of children would come, Nellie would wear her bandana around her neck and stroll around the pumpkins making sure no children were left behind. She was amazing.
A full-time helper with my children, I always felt at peace when my children would go off on our farm to play. I always knew that with Nellie by their side, they felt comfortable not being alone, and I felt comfortable knowing that Nellie would stay by their side, and never leave them alone. She would watch over them until they were either in the house safely, or I had come to collect them.
My children would tell you the same thing. Each of us, even though she's no longer with us, will always remember her. There's always that one special dog who wins your heart forever. Nellie went on to have her own puppies. We kept one of her daughter's, Bell. She too turned out to be as kind and loving as her mother. Then Nellie's granddaughter, Mollie, (Bell's daughter) turned out to be loving and kind, but not the smartest tool in the shed. We actually had given Molly away and the person who took her brought her back three days later saying, "This is the stupidest dog I have ever seen! She should be put down." We graciously took Molly back into our home, and she was with us for 15 more years. Between Nelly, Bell and Molly, my children never walked into their home without their best friends waiting for them.
It's funny how a moment can bring back a memory. This morning I came and turned on my computer and OwieBowWowie was sitting on my desk. When I looked over and saw him I said, "Good morning Owie." I immediately stopped, and realized that even though he's stuffed, he's truly comforting. For the past 5 years (since the first time I pulled him out of the box) he's been sitting on my desk. Just as Nellie was always next to me, Owie is always on my desk. There's comfort in knowing that whether it's a real dog or a stuffed one... what makes comfort real is that you can depend on it. You know it's going to be there for you when you walk through the door.
Each month there are over 1,000 children who are admitted into CHLA with a life-threatening illness, and 42-percent of those children don't have family or friends who are able to visit them. In order for us to make a delivery we need to donate no less than 100 OwieBowWowie's. That way each child will not be left out that day.
So, without even thinking I looked at Owie and asked him what he thought I should do. He didn't say anything, but I could see through his eyes that he's confident 100 donors will arrive soon.
Are you one? If so go to www.owiebowwowie.net to donate a gift of comfort to a child. Comfort is the best gift a child can received.
Onward by faith...
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