A Heartfelt Thank You

Last Friday, March 21, my dog Bridget wandered out of the yard. It’s possible that this beautiful, loving mixed Labrador went looking for a solitary place in which to rest and then to pass out of this world. Employees of the Lakeview Golf Course found Bridget Monday afternoon, in one of the ponds on the golf course.

Many of you knew Bridget. You stopped to greet us while on a walk. You scratched her ears as she surveyed her domain from the front porch or stretched out on the warm driveway. Some of you met Bridget during her visits to Health Care residents or her appearances in the Dog Show. She loved your pats and scratches, and the occasional dog treat.

Bridget had a strong streak of wanderlust in her. That’s what landed her in the Shenandoah County Animal Shelter in 2013, where my husband and I fell in love with her. Her previous owners must have been crazy not to move heaven and earth to get her back. I suspect that on March 21, Bridget was proud to have finagled one last “walkabout” for herself – one last burst of freedom in the wide-open world.

At this moment, Bridget is surely romping with the 11 brothers and sisters who preceded her. And my husband is in on the action, I’m sure. He loved to quote Will Rogers: “If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart thank you, to the many Sunnyside residents and staff members who spent hours over the weekend searching for Bridget and comforting me. Thank you for your time, your empathy, and your friendship. You are wonderful, caring people, and it is a privilege to live among you.

Susan Sheridan To Top of Page