By Judi Curry
My 13 year old Golden is having some hip issues
Trying to watch him walk down the stairs brings out the crying tissues.
He doesn’t seem to be in much pain and he “smiles” all the time,
Except when he tries to stand up and then you know he’s not fine.
He just helped me “dog sit” my daughter’s big dog,
Who really is a cross between a kangaroo and a frog.
Buddy went swimming to iron out the kinks,
Toby grabbed the ball every time Buddy blinked.
But now we are alone and the house is very quiet,
Even my eldest daughter has said “find a dog and buy it.”
Trish, Buddy’s physical therapist told me about the Baja Animal Sanctuary,
You see, “Shadow” was found in Ensenada close to the estuary.
I looked on-line and found the page
My goodness, this little Golden was just the right age.
He likes big dogs – and Buddy is just that.
The only thing he doesn’t like is big, meowing cats.
My vet, my trainer, the therapists galore,
Have suggested that Buddy have a roommate to perk him up some more.
So Saturday I will go meet him, at the Carmel Mountain PetCo store,
He will be waiting for us right at the front door.
And maybe it will give Buddy a few more healthy weeks,
A playmate for both of us is all this owner seeks.
For those of us that know him it is only a question of time,
Hey, what the hell, I’m all out of rhyme.
Before I close off this poem, I would like to say something about the Baja Animal Sanctuary. We found Buddy at the “Retrievers and Friends Rescue” in Temecula. We found Pal, our Golden before Buddy, at the San Diego Dog Pound, and Shalom, our black lab, was a gift to me by my hairdresser who felt that I needed a dog because I didn’t have enough to do as a Principal of a 1300 student middle school; the mother of 5 children; and a wife. But this time, knowing that Buddy’s hips are going from bad to worse, I decided that I needed to brace myself for his impending death. John, my vet, has assured me it is not imminent, but probably will happen during this year. Buddy was my late husband’s dog – and he followed Bob around like a “shadow.” I once said that if I ever got my own dog I wanted him to shadow me like Buddy did to Bob. Buddy is my only link to Bob, and by getting another dog now I hope will ease the pain when it is time for Buddy to go to the Rainbow in the sky.
Trish Penick, Buddy’s physical therapist sent me an email message that said, “check out Thomas. I did, and fell in love with the picture of Thomas immediately. (I thought it was rather ironic that the man that scammed me sometime back was named “Thomas.”)
I made contact with the sanctuary, and within 12 hours I had a response from Judith Ayn Sobel, the Program Director. I was so impressed with the rapidity of the response that I did some research and this is what I found.
“The sanctuary is located in Rosarito, Mexico, and was founded in 1997 by Sunny Benedict, a native New Yorker, who was working in real estate in Rosarito. From her office window, Sunny would see the local animals mangy and starving roaming the streets in search of anyone who might toss them a morsel of food or give them a kind pat on the head. She knew she had to do something. With a mere $180 she gathered from friends, she turned her dream into reality and started the Baja Animal Sanctuary.
BAS, the only no-kill shelter in Northern Mexico, provides a safe haven for dogs, cats, that are rescued from the streets of Mexico. They receive food, medical care, and love. Once the puppies are old enough they are spayed/neutered. Their goal is to find them a “forever home.” If a dog is unadoptable, it remains at the sanctuary for life.
In 2011, they placed 262 dogs and 49 cats in loving homes throughout the United States. Presently the Sanctuary is home to over 300 dogs and over 90 cats! It is a recognized 501©(3), non-for-profit corporation, qualified to receive tax-deductable donations. The sanctuary receives NO assistance from the Mexican Government.
I made my original inquiry into adopting Thomas – (now Shadow) on April 8th. Today, April 12th, I met him along with a contingent of friends – Mary and Marco, to be specific. We all fell in love with him and I was allowed to take him home. Buddy accepted him with a shrug and a smile – and he is firmly ensconced in my house, where half of the neighbors have already been in to meet him.
In two weeks, members of the staff of the BAS will come out to complete the formal paperwork, and, if it seems we do not click in the next week or so we can always bring him back. (Fat chance!) But Buddy has a playmate; I have a new “love”; and things are once again active at the Curry house.
Judi, Buddy & Shadow make a sweet & handsome pair. Blessings to all of you.
I am the “chauffeur” who was honored to bring this handsome and adorable dog up to the adoption event at Petco, which I have been doing almost every Saturday for the last 3 years. “Shadow” is one of the nicest dogs I have had the pleasure of bringing up, and with over 650 passengers so far, that’s saying a lot. Thank you so much for giving this wonderful and deserving dog a great home… I have a feeling that if he hadn’t been adopted that day he would have been the newest member of my pack here in Baja. That’s how special I think he is. Thanks again and I hope you bring him by one of the events for a visit someday.
Thank you for bringing him to the event, Chuck. He is a love. I have to say his name is very appropriate – he doesn’t leave me side – and truly shadows me where ever I go. (And I do mean “where ever!” Once I have finished his training – likes to jump up; likes to nip at ankles and finger tips – I will be happy to bring him to visit. And…please feel free to visit us! Judi
I noticed the jumping up when I was playing with him after he was unloaded. I work with dogs that have behavioral issues so if you need help let me know. He is so sweet and smart it shouldn’t take much. He is just so happy to have a great home and nipping is how dogs show affection to each other. I am betting with just a few corrections he will be fine.
Hope he visits us soon. Please let me know if you are going to stop by so I will be sure and be there. I usually take my two for some exercise and run errands after dropping the dogs off at the event. Give him a big hug for me.
When he jumps up he is really “hugging.” It is hard to get him to stop, because he does it so gently, but he’s a strong dog and I don’t want him knocking me – or anyone else – over.
I’ll give him a hug for you – but better you should come over and hug him yourself!
Thanks for the offer of help if I need it. I’ll be certain to let you know. Judi
I will try to come see him during one of the events next month. Do you live close to Poway or Carmel Mt. Ranch?
Actually I don’t Chuck. I live in Ocean Beach/Pt. Loma.
Judi, the sun must be shining because your Shadow is beautiful!