By MARTY DUNLAVEY, President Greater Derry Humane Society
DERRY, NH: There’s a bully stick in the living room corner. If I remember correctly, it belonged to Willow. Her huge teeth marks are still scattered all over the stick. Willow lived with us for almost 13 years, and she seemed to have left so suddenly. I’m having a little trouble locating her. I feel that she’s still here, somewhere.
Where’s Willow?
She is in the yard between the top of the grass and underneath the leaves, where the morning dew begins to dry.
She’s in the field running and herding stray dogs back to their owners and then running circles and circles around the people, sort of showing off how fast she is.
Where’s Willow?
She’s sitting on the porch staring out to the backyard with the look of pride, happiness, and love. She spends many afternoons just sitting there majestically looking over her yard. It feels good to be Queen.
Where’s Willow?
She’s in school this day. To be exact, Willow is in the 4th grade class of the South Range Elementary School in Derry. Willow loves the kids and enjoys these trips to class. Sometimes she is surrounded by as many as 30+ students. Each child will ask me if they can pet the dog, and then each one will also properly give her a treat. Willow remains calm and happy throughout the safety class. Willow also shakes hands with the kids if they ask for her paw. These classes always brought out the calming nature of Willow.
Where’s Willow?
She’s on the agility course trying her best and yet too shy and too nervous for her best to come forward. She only runs through a tube when she sees me on the other side. She walks the balance beam only when my hand is beneath her, holding the leash and walking beside her. She works the seesaw perfectly and moves forward. She reaches the finish line and sits. The many fellow amateur dog trainers give a healthy applause for Willow, whose eyes beam with happiness. She has completed the course for the first time.
Where’s Willow?
She’s sitting by the diving board watching Penny dive into the pool, barking as she runs to where Penny will climb out of the water. Her barking is her way of directing Penny to the exact spot she needs to go. She repeats this process until Penny becomes too tired to jump into the water. Sisters do things like that for each other.
Where’s Willow?
She’s in the Derry Holiday Parade representing the Derry Humane Society. I’m walking Willow, but she doesn’t want to stay on the road. She’s pulling me over to the side where people are lined up along each sidewalk, watching the parade. Willow wants to walk thru the crowd, especially the kids who start greeting her and petting her enthusiastically. She is so happy doing this, walking with a bounce in her step, not wanting the parade to end.
Where’s Willow?
She’s a little tired now for days at a time. Suddenly her body’s red blood cells are cheating and leaving her system much too early. Willow doesn’t understand why she’s feeling so tired all the time. She must know that something is very wrong. I’m holding Willow’s head as she receives the veterinarian’s meds to relax her. I won’t cry even though I want to. Then her eyes glaze over. Her mother Paula cries as her Angel becomes very relaxed. We continue to touch nose to nose and stare into one another’s eyes as her tired body receives her last meds, and she goes to that place where dogs go just because they’re wonderful—still holding her head as I hug her. I start to wish I could go with her. Life doesn’t seem fair.
Where’s Willow?
She’s living in our hearts, deep in our hearts, and that’s where she’ll forever stay.