Our dogs. We love them. So very much. We tend to realize how much we love them even more when the realization “the end” is coming.

This week I received an note from my very good friend, my coach who helped me through multiple Ironmans, including getting to the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii (where I now live), and a business relationship at Multipsorts.com which rocks it out as far as the people and what they bring to the world of sport, Paula Newby Fraser.  The point is we have a lot of connections but the connection that people rarely get to share is this one.

Dogs and Emotions

The note was about something we share deep feelings for. Gidget. Gidget the Wonderdog.

I rescued Gidget back in 2001 from a shelter while I was at a dog training academy in Arizona. She came home to San Diego with me and I got to spend time with her as I brought her out of living in a fearful state.

When I got her she would duck and have worry cloud her big brown eyes as she looked up at me.  At that point she thought she was in trouble for every little thing she did, she was living like many who just don’t know how to get out of the way of fear; always trying to do the right thing but not sure of what it is that is good enough, afraid of making a wrong move without even meaning to.  Lack of confidence.

Her Life as Gidget the Wonderdog Had Begun

She ended up having the greatest life then and now.

I had great fun with Gidget.  Taught her tons of things to do, took her so many places.  She loves fetching.  She got to the point she would fetch anything I asked her to.  She was so proud of herself.  She played with other dogs, and had her place on the couch.  Gidget even slept right next to me in bed.  I feel emotion when I think of Gidget because she has a deep spot in my heart.

 Dog Whisperering

But being the dog whisperer type I am, the realization came that with 4 dogs in my pack and my work, a large home to take care of on my own, none of them were getting all the attention they deserved in the long run. Or I wanted to give them. The attention I would tell others that they need to be able to give to their dogs as companions…..

The realization at the time came around when my good friends Huddle and Paula were ready to have a dog, which had been a want for years, but difficult to commit to with triathlon and travel and running a rockin business.  Gidget was a perfect candidate. It was time for them to have a dog and Gidget would get to be the center of attention.

So off she went.  It was as sad day for me.  But it was one of those days that in the moment I knew I had done the right thing and as it turns out, Gidget truly became the Wonderdog and is having the greatest life ever.

 Living the Good Life One Moment at a Time

Gidget’s life:  Exercise galore, gets to go everywhere, no leash required.  The full attention of two who play with her, feed her good food, engage her, and touch so many other lives with her.  Gidget accompanies them to run on the track, to just ride around in the car, be the cool one in all the dogs who have come and gone and played on the greenbelt by her house.

She dives bushes to get her favorite toy.  It’s like a new best fun thing to do every time. She makes one smile every single time with her full on enthusiasm. Her full on joy of life.

She runs trails, goes cross country skiing, walks, plays, goes to dinners, beaches, friends houses.  Gidget’s such a Wonderdog she gets to go into public places and races and establishments most dogs aren’t allowed.  She behaves herself yet entertains and people from all walks of life are drawn to her.  If there is such a thing as a therapy dog whisperer, it’s Gidget.

She does it all, but mostly she gets to be with her people all the time, and yes indeed those people give her the star attention a dog like Gidget should get.

Walk Away From Deep Down Inside Fear

She was the dog who was afraid of everything, locked in a small kennel with #8 on it.  She had the dream happen.  She was adopted, fully taken in and loved and cared for in a way she grew to be proud of and give all that joy back to the world around her.  She became the dog laced with confidence and the wag of her nubby short tail, the bat of her eyelashes and the smile she gets while looking up in pure adoration for life is all of her gratitude for what life has turned out to be.

The news in the note; Gidget has a mass in her chest and is going into surgery.  Again, she’s being given the best care ever.  She’s the Wonderdog. If it’s time for her to make it she will. She’s strong, she’s fit and she’s in her most golden of years.  I’m thinking of you Gidget.  I love you Gidget. You’ll always be with me Gidget but it makes me sad, it makes my heart hurt to think “the end” of you here with us might be on it’s way.

Gidget is a big part of my ReVIBE.  If you’d like more from me on dogs subscribe to ReVIBE | Dogs

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