On May 13, 2020, my husband Lee passed away after living with Parkinson’s disease for 16 years and Lewy Body Dementia for 14 years. We had been married for 18 ½ wonderful years, and despite Lee’s progressive illnesses, he had an exceptional quality of life. But Lee’s death during the COVID pandemic paralyzed me. It was so lonely and quiet. No family around, no friends could visit. I couldn’t get out of bed. I couldn’t function. I grew up with dogs but hadn’t had one for 30 years. At the end of May, I started wondering if having a dog might give me a spark of energy and motivation to start a new, lonely life on my own—with a four-legged, furry companion.
Flashback to 1974: Our baby boy was a year old, and we decided to get him/us a puppy for his birthday. Our parameters were non-shedding and hypoallergenic. Back then, the options were Poodles or Bedlington Terriers. As we researched, we decided a Bedlington would be perfect for our family. We found a breeder in Rifle, Colorado—a day’s roundtrip from Denver. We adopted Sunny, a 3-month-old male with an overbite, not suited for show. But he was perfect as a family pet, and I became a big Bedlington fan.
Fast forward to June 1, 2020: I emailed four Bedlington breeders in Colorado, looking for an adult dog for a newly widowed woman living in the city, with no yard, no kids, and no other pets. One breeder from Erie responded. He had a 7-year-old male he was retiring from the show ring. Dennis Corash from Bonnybrook Bedlingtons and I arranged a visit. Before we hung up, he asked where I got my first Bedlington. When I told him from Rifle, he gasped and said, “That was ME!” His father had started the breeding line. The next day, my daughter and I drove to Erie, about 45 minutes away. We visited the 7-year-old, but he needed a 4-mile walk every day, which I wasn’t up for.
As we sat in the backyard watching the dogs play, my daughter, a nurse, exclaimed, “Is that an amputee out there?” Dennis called over Sapphire, a 10-year-old female tripod. She instantly won our hearts. I asked, “What about Sapphire? I would really like to have her.” Dennis replied, “To the perfect family.” I asked, “Can I be that perfect family?” Sapphire had been a champion show dog but lost her leg after an injury. Dennis had kept her as his personal pet but felt I could give her more time and attention in her later years.
Sapphire had lived 10 years surrounded by other animals and children. I wondered how she would adjust to my quiet, lonely world. But she RESCUED ME! She became my shadow, followed me everywhere, and licked my tears when I missed Lee. She kept me on schedule, waking me up, reminding me when it was time to walk or eat, and cuddled with me at night. She was my companion in Mexico, where she ran free with her ears flapping in the breeze. She barked at everyone in greeting and sniffed every flower.
Sapphire remained healthy and active until the end, thanks to her wonderful care team, Doc Kevin Fitzgerald and his assistant Chris at VCA Alameda East. Sapphire gave everyone her special hugs. Kevin and Dennis, Sapphire’s breeder, were childhood friends, and all our stars aligned for her to have a high quality of life in her later years.
How many times during our 4-year love affair was I asked if I rescued her? I always responded, “OH NO, SHE RESCUED ME!” R.I.P. sweet Sapphy. You were a precious jewel to all who knew you, but to me, you were the brightest diamond, guiding and accompanying me through my journey.
