Torrie
My daughter, Lindsy had one dog for the first 14 years of her life. His time had come just a month before we lost my mother, who was a huge part of our lives, as she lived nearby. This was also just 3 months before my son; Lindsy’s only sibling went off to college. We show horses all summer, so there was a void, but it wasn’t as evident until school started back up in the fall. Suddenly, just the horses were there when Lindsy got off the bus after school, and you can’t bring them in the house with you very well. She tried to convince her dad that we needed another dog, but we all knew there wouldn’t be another Sparky. So, we decided to just wait and try life without a dog.
Lindsy still missed having that warm, tail wagging friend to greet her. We would bring up the subject from time to time, but we had all gotten used to having to vacuum less and not worrying about a dog being outside on those really cold days. We knew about Sonja’s rescue operation and in the back of my mind, I kind of thought we might someday, be able to help each other out.
The next year, Lindsy started to have some headaches that no doctor could help. They started out a little at a time and built up to be constant every day. Lindsy tried to function like a somewhat normal 16 yr old. We happened to be at the farm for a 4-H function and of course Sonja was showing everyone the last dog left, hoping for a lead on a home. Well, that’s when we met Torrie. She just bowled over Lindsy, washing her face and waggling her stub of a tail. How can you resist a face that craves love and attention? We went to work on dad.
As the headaches progressed, it made it harder for Lindsy to go to school for even part of a day. I couldn’t help but think of the value of a dog’s unconditional love and presence, for a person who doesn’t feel good and is home alone. That soft coat, wet nose, and waggley stub of a tail would have a very important job to do. Dad ultimately gave in for a trial, knowing full well it was a home.
Torrie has been with us for just over a year now. We had to be re-educated for a dog of a different, younger nature than Sparky, but love her even with some minor accommodations. She loves to run and jump and leap and herd ponies (the ponies fail to see the humor in that however) and take care of her girls. Her history must have made her skeptical of the authoritative male of the household, so it takes an extra effort for dad, but he works at it for us. She just loves our son, Austin, who can get her to leap over 6’ in the air from a sit position. Torrie has even visited Austin at UVM for a day; she can be quite a chick magnet. She doesn’t appreciate being left alone without her family and finds ways to express that. Now that Lindsy is back at school everyday and finally on the road to healthier days, Torrie’s role has shifted to more of a school bus greeter and house protector. She definitely has a personality of her own and knows what “go” means. She can turn herself inside out when she knows it is time to “go” do barn chores. It definitely is nice to have a dog again even though sometimes it can be complicated.
Castleton, VT
Lindsy still missed having that warm, tail wagging friend to greet her. We would bring up the subject from time to time, but we had all gotten used to having to vacuum less and not worrying about a dog being outside on those really cold days. We knew about Sonja’s rescue operation and in the back of my mind, I kind of thought we might someday, be able to help each other out.
The next year, Lindsy started to have some headaches that no doctor could help. They started out a little at a time and built up to be constant every day. Lindsy tried to function like a somewhat normal 16 yr old. We happened to be at the farm for a 4-H function and of course Sonja was showing everyone the last dog left, hoping for a lead on a home. Well, that’s when we met Torrie. She just bowled over Lindsy, washing her face and waggling her stub of a tail. How can you resist a face that craves love and attention? We went to work on dad.
As the headaches progressed, it made it harder for Lindsy to go to school for even part of a day. I couldn’t help but think of the value of a dog’s unconditional love and presence, for a person who doesn’t feel good and is home alone. That soft coat, wet nose, and waggley stub of a tail would have a very important job to do. Dad ultimately gave in for a trial, knowing full well it was a home.
Torrie has been with us for just over a year now. We had to be re-educated for a dog of a different, younger nature than Sparky, but love her even with some minor accommodations. She loves to run and jump and leap and herd ponies (the ponies fail to see the humor in that however) and take care of her girls. Her history must have made her skeptical of the authoritative male of the household, so it takes an extra effort for dad, but he works at it for us. She just loves our son, Austin, who can get her to leap over 6’ in the air from a sit position. Torrie has even visited Austin at UVM for a day; she can be quite a chick magnet. She doesn’t appreciate being left alone without her family and finds ways to express that. Now that Lindsy is back at school everyday and finally on the road to healthier days, Torrie’s role has shifted to more of a school bus greeter and house protector. She definitely has a personality of her own and knows what “go” means. She can turn herself inside out when she knows it is time to “go” do barn chores. It definitely is nice to have a dog again even though sometimes it can be complicated.
Castleton, VT
