In Loving Memory Of Dooley

Dooley

Carolyn is a previous adopter, and has always wanted to open her heart and home to senior dogs. When Dewey showed up at the shelter with his powder face, everyone at California GSP Rescue breathed a sigh of relief when they heard he was microchipped. Dogs with microchips are required to be kept longer while the shelter attempts to notify the owner. Unfortunately, Dewey's former owner apparently hadn't registered the microchip and Dewey was left at unclaimed at the shelter. Fortunately, Dewey's entire life was about to change.

After California GSP Rescue rescued Dewey from the shelter, he was quite a charmer. He got along well with other dogs and, like most of the dogs, loved attention. He appeared so easy to care for that the volunteers wondered why his previous owner hadn't gone to the shelter to claim him!

A short time before Dewey arrived, Carolyn had lost her beloved dog Humphrey and had asked us to keep an eye out for a dog that would be a good fit for her and Gretchen. Once we saw how easy going Dewey was with other dogs and people, we knew he was a candidate for Carolyn to consider. We soon let her know that a dog had a arrived that she needed to meet. Carolyn loved Dewey but not his name. Seeing how he had only been given the name since being rescued from the shelter, it wasn't a big deal to change it. Carolyn did. After she adopted Dewey, she changed his name to Dooley, and with a new name came a new and happy life.

“What do you say about a dog who died? What do you say about a dog who shuffled across the play area, greeted you pleasantly, and then lay down under a picnic table because watching the other dogs playing tired him out. And your heart sank because he wasn't the dog you wanted, but you knew you were going to take him anyway because, well, somebody had to.

What do you say about a dog who, on the first evening, lay down on a dog bed with a mixture of relief and resignation, and within a few days gave you his heart without reservation, trusting that you were the person who, at last, would do right by him. About a dog who almost at once became a part of your life, as comfortable as a pair of old shoes and requiring little more care.

What do you say about a dog whose eyes grew brighter and whose step grew lighter, until he would come to welcome you home at a creaky trot, sensibly staying back as his sister Gretchen (and later Maya) spun and barked at the gate. A dog who offered gentle friendship to everyone (even the yappy little dog next door), and whose soft wise eyes stirred people to come to him and say "Well, hello, old man!"

What do you say about a dog who was represented as a GSP, but whose pale color and placid nature led you to call him your "Southern Goober Hound," and indeed it was easy to see him hanging out on the porch overlooking the pond, with chickens scratching in the dirt nearby and the smell of cornbread wafting from the kitchen. . .of course it didn't matter,

What do you say about a dog who, to the last, insisted on "helping" you fetch the paper in the morning, tottering down the driveway and up the sidewalk, sniffing diligently, until you gently turned him towards home and, sometimes, knelt down and hugged him, trying not to cry.

What do you say about a dog who, when Time returned for him, laid his head in your hands and trusted you once again to do right by him.

What do you say about a dog who asked for so little, yet gave me more than I could ever have offered him.

What do you say about Dooley”.

While our hearts are very heavy, they are very full and grateful for Carolyn and her love for senior dogs, and for the life she gave Dooley.