I was just a pup when I met Andy for the first time.
I couldn't see his face.
But I sure could 'see' his love he showed for everyone!
Mama Karen's sun set and rose with her boy!
He was special - not only to his mom, but also to all of us.
And he made us each feel special in return.
Now, you know how that 'first day of school' goes for most of us...we're a little bit shy and a little bit anxious...and a whole lot scared!
That's how I felt when I went to Puppy School!
It was sort of frightening being there with all those humans in the building!
There were those soft and gentle voices. There were deep and raspy voices.
And then there were those LOUD and FRIGHTENING ones!
It was something to get used to!
Going to school was supposed to help ME - but I think it helped Momma Karen and Andy too! After all - what good was MY education if THEY didn't know anything!
It was hard, but I tried to stay focused and tried really hard to do well.
I loved my teacher! Now HER voice is one of those voices a pup never forgets!
I remember it even now, and every time I visit PetSmart - my School - I listen for her voice. When I hear it - I'm busting bones to get to her!
That's how much I love my teacher!
Once school was out though - my celebration was just beginning!
I had a Graduation Cake - complete with ICING, some gifts that only a GOOD PUP gets, and my own little party with those I loved the most.
Andy was there.
He was sooooo proud of me!
I don't think I ever told mom, but sometimes when I really didn't want to go
to school, Andy and I would talk about it.
He'd tell me that, by my going to school, I was setting the bar high
for all the pups who followed me!
I told him that I was probably a little nervous because I couldn't see,
when all the other pups could.
He said that, no matter what else happened in life, I could shine!
I didn't have to be able to 'see' how THEY saw - I only had to 'see' how I saw!
That made me feel pretty darn good - and made me feel a LITTEL bit better about heading out the door for PetSmart. All the time that I was being taught even the hardest things, I tried to keep Andy's words in my head.
Just knowing that he was proud of me was more than enough reason to keep trying,
and since he pointed out that I was going to be the VERY FIRST GRADUATE
from my school - I had a legacy to live up to and was going to do it no matter what!
That was a long time ago.
The school's still there, and my teacher is too.
Now she's teaching other pups who probably aren't quite as smart as THIS pup,
but someone's got to teach them! I still have my photos of Graduation.
I can relive the moments any time I want - just by remembering them.
Gotta say - they bring some smiles to this face!
When we lost Andy, I knew there wasn't much else could ever happen
in this life that could be worse. It hasn't been easy.
It was November 5th, 2004 - which is now almost three and a half years ago.
But it still hurts....it hurts all of us.
One thing Andy taught me though was that LIFE was something to bark about!
To celebrate!
To howl at the moon over!
LIVING life was a matter of believing in something enough to work hard at it.
That's how Andy lived.
He worked to make it the best he could do - whatever it was!
He wanted to play the viola - he DID!
He just taught himself! And he did a pretty good job too because he was
featured at orchestra performances!
He wanted to paint. So - he DID!
And some fine stuff he painted!
Ambrr tells me that there's all sorts of his artwork all over the house,
and mom's bedroom is specially decorated with some of his finest works.
He wanted to re-live history. So - he DID!
He joined a reenactment regiment of the Union army
and lived the life of the Civil War soldier. And he loved it!
He wanted to save lives. So - he DID!
He loved animals, and wanted only the very, very best for them.
He even loved CATs! That might well have been the only thing I couldn't quite understand about Andy - his love for a CAT!
After Andy left us, things started happening.
First, there were the donations given to Aussie groups in his name.
Then there was the cat refuge named after him - Andy's Sanctuary.
Then some Websites sprung up honoring his memory and life.
And then there was a fire in Mason County, West Virginia that wiped out an
Animal Shelter. And there were dollars sent to Mason to help with the
rebuilding of the shelter - in Andy's name.
And all through it all, LWARC (Lethal White Aussie Rescue Carolinas) has worked really hard at educating people on irresponsible breeding practices (breeding merle-to-merle) and the risks those breedings bring with them. LWARC was started in Andy's name and memory, and through LWARC I'm sure we've saved potential lives just by teaching humans all about 'Lethal Whites'.
When I think about all the good that Andy's life has done for others -
I have to believe that he's still working his wonders around here.
He's still saving lives - and he's still encouraging others to do their best -
and he's still somehow teaching us all that -
no matter what else every happens in life - we can each shine!
We just gotta do it OUR way!
Andy's shining today!
Today there's another way for Andy to save life!
We ask just about everyone we 'see' to please check out their local shelters and SAVE A LIFE OR TWO. You don't have to adopt a dog to save it, ya know. Sometimes all it takes is some money donated to help keep that dog alive. Some places ask for fees before adoption is possible, and you can donate those fees for the future owners if you'd like. Other places just are happy to have blankets and wash cloths and shampoos and other items (LIKE TOYS) to be donated for the animals who live there.
So don't think you have to actually take in a dog to save its life. It would be GREAT - but some folks just can't do it. If you're one of those people who love animals but can't take one to live with you, just send a donation to your local shelter or rescue!
And, when you DO send your donation, don't forget to make some annotation
with the check that you're giving in the memory and honor of
ANDREW KEITH ANDERSON.
Andy will always be a part of my life - and an inspiration.
He left behind a legacy all his own. And it's a good one!
Andy set the bar just a little high for others to follow.
So yes, I think of him a lot.
I think of his tenderness.
I think of his compassion.
I remember his voice and call upon it many times when things are tough.
I think of Andy. And when I do - I still 'see' his love.
And I gotta say - it brings a little bit of a smile to this face!
~
by allicks anderson
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