 I met Rick and Frances Ford and their son Andy more than 12 years ago after they adopted a special needs dog which I had at Sparta Veterinary Services. A volunteer from an area shelter had called me that she had found a small dog frozen to concrete when she arrived at the shelter. I asked her to take it to SVS and told her that I would assume responsibility for taking care of the little dog. Rick and Frances had a cleaning service and SVS was a client. They spent time with the little dog while providing cleaning services and fell in love. I enthusiastically and gratefully accepted their kind offer to give the dog a furever home.
In late 2010 Daisy's Legacy (established from proceeds of "Living With The Rescues") partnered with Sarah Hawlik"s Homeward Bound to provide veterinary care and find homes for dogs and cats. Frances and Rick fostered for us so I had the pleasure of seeing the little dog who connected us when I went to their home to take and pick up foster dogs. Rick and Frances became foster failures for another special needs dog they were fostering for us. A few years ago Rick called and told me they were moving to a smaller home with less land and asked for help rehoming their Pyr because their new home was not the environment Boone needed. I immediately called my brother Jack who lives on a farm and loves Pyrs and he agreed to adopt. Jack and I kept Rick and Frances updated about the good life Boone was living on the farm with other Pyr rescues. A few weeks ago Rick called to tell me that his doctor had informed him that his life expectancy was a few months and we continued to have short phone conversations until the day hospice care began. Rick was always positive and said that knowing that he did not have very long life expectancy gave him the opportunity to tell people about his love and appreciation for them and continually expressed love for his family. Rick was an inspiration and a blessing. - Sharon Langford |
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