by Rachael Joseph

Created on: August 22, 2009

Ami's story
In early spring of 2006, my life changed forever because of a dog. I saw his picture online, an ancient yellow Lab, white-faced, his eyes white with cataracts. Half of his face drooped with paralysis. My sympathetic heart melted instantly and I remember thinking, "If I don't take this dog, who will?" I called the rescue facility in Iowa. The woman I spoke to told me the dog had been rescued after spending five nights down a sewer drain, cold and unnoticed. The emaciated yellow Lab with a list of problems was still there. He had prostate cancer, arthritis, was partially deaf and completely blind. I still drove the four hours from Minneapolis. He was mine. On the drive home from Iowa, I bonded to the dog I now called "Ami" (pronounced ah-me, a Hebrew name). I fed him a Krispy Kreme donut as a snack for the road. He seemed forever grateful.

My life with Ami was a joy, and even though ailing, Ami lived his last months with me blissfully. As a Labrador, his favorite things were food, the outdoors and lots of love.

The level of trust Ami displayed amazes me. When it was time to go outside, I lay a gentle hand on his sleeping body. He would open his eyes, stretch and begin to stand up. Even dogs with sight and hearing will awake with a jump if touched while sleeping. Ami would slowly stand and I would take him by the collar, lead him to the back door and down the stairs in to the backyard. He loved to spend all sunny days outside.

When his cancer worsened and his limbs stiffened, there was no better place for Ami's passing than at home. In early November, my friend and veterinarian came over. Ami lay in his favorite bed in the corner of the living room, a blanket I purchased to keep him warm covering his now frail body. My husband and I fed our sweet yellow Lab cheeseburgers, which he happily devoured.

It was time to let him go. My husband sat at Ami's side, stroking his fur and crying. I held Ami's head and fed him his milkshake as I told deaf ears how much I loved him. He fell asleep happy, eating his milkshake, surrounded by love.

Ami taught me about trust by giving me so much of it. He taught me patience as I waited for his old body to rise and shuffle across the floor when he needed to go outside. Most important, he taught me unconditional love by showing me that no matter how damaged someone or something is, there is still a great capacity to give and receive love. I took Ami into my home to make his last days comfortable ones. I didn't realize he would change my life forever.

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