Where I take Sam to the woods and river most days , we often see the same people and dogs and this man is no exception . I dont know his name but his very elderly black Lab is called Max , he always carries a tennis ball , his owner and I often pass the time of day .Yesterday , I was hurling Sams dummy around in the undergrowth , him working away, tail non stop wagging, looking to me for direction , loving every minute , when I noticed the man with Max , standing watching us and smiling . Max didnt look too happy, his head was down but still the tennis ball in his grey mouth so I went to give him a fuss as usual . His owner told me that Max wasnt doing too well , his old legs were beginning to let him down although his spirit wasnt , he no longer fetches a ball but has to carry one . The man then went on to say that he draws a massive ammount of comfort from watching Sam working away, he said it is a lovely reminder of the happy life Max has lived as he used to retrieve too and loved to work in his younger days . Have to admit to tears stinging my eyes but also it was lovely that Sam was giving comfort in a roundabout way too .
Re: Not much of a story but sweet Gosh, my eyes are leaking. That is such a sweet but sad wee story :'( Jac
Re: Not much of a story but sweet Oh Kate, that has got me reaching for the tissues too... :'( Reminds me of my old Bones, of course... Even when really old he used to love doing what we called 'toddle retrieves', where he would fetch a ball or dummy back to us after we had thrown it about ten feet for him... He was really happy then, and proud when he was allowed to carry the dummy home... How nice that Sam remind that man of Max's happy youth!
Re: Not much of a story but sweet How lovely. Made me very teary, thinking of my beloved old black boy, Nicolae, who we lost last year. Max and his Dad sound like a great team - as do you and Sam
