An Unexpected Pleasure.

It was cold out! Not chilly, brisk or cool, darn right cold. The second weekend of February in rural Indiana where the wind chills rip through outer layers of clothing like a cat on a tree filled with nip! Ya that kind of cold. The weather had been like this night on a week and I was getting fed up with being cooped up. It was just after breakfast when I decided I had enough of this horrible sickness called cabin fever and that desperate measures to cure myself of this malady must be taken lest my very mind might crack and what is left of the grey cells would ooze from my skull like a bad zombie horror film.

My wife was already settling down with her sewing and had explained she was not going outside today. My dilemma was mine to solve. So I ran through a list of things to do. Shopping? Me at the mall, uh huh right. A movie? Ok but I could sit at home and do that. Besides I was looking to do something! I got it I’ma go skating!

Roller skating. Yup a return to my youth where I spent countless hours at the Roller Rama skating to Elton John, The Bee Gees and Linda Ronstadt. The local skate palace had a noon session perfect! I threw on my favorite cammo pants, grabbed a hoodie and my leather jacket and excitedly drove to the rink, not knowing that this day, this impulsive decision to cure myself of cabin fever and do something completely out of my normal comfort zone, would completely change the rest of my life!

As usual my punctuality put me first in line at the rink. When I paid my entry and rental fee, I noticed two squiggilly balls of fluff in a box behind the counter. Being a lover of dogs I recognized these pups as Aussies, one a black tri the other a red bi. Of course I asked and yes they were available for a forever home. It so happens that the Mrs. and I were looking for another dog and well let me be completely clear I took the opportunity to hold them, I mean they’re puppies!

Through the skate session I came back to the furry wiggle butts. I called my wife to let her know of the puppies, but she didn’t answer. I called several more times and still she did not answer. I of course by now have become infatuated by the tri male pup and the skate session was coming to an end and Paula still hasn’t answered her phone. As any sane husband knows, giving your wife at minimum at least a heads up about every decision much less bring home a new pet is a requirement to a successful relationship.

As soon as I walk in the door I tell Paula about the pups. She said to call and see if the puppies were still there. As luck would have it the tri was still available, and twenty minutes later we we the proud owners a a beautiful black ball of fluff that would forever change us. This tiny, squiggly wiggly ball of puppy fluff! I could never have anticipated the adventure ,the truly life changing experiences this little guy would lead us to. All I knew then was I had my puppy. Mine! Ya ok ours but Paula reminds me that he’s your dog whenever he gets in trouble, so ya he may be ours, but he’s mine.

Quinby has been my perfect friend! He’s never let me down, always is there for me, knows when I’m sad and somehow never fails to lift my spirit. He has been called, wonder dog, champion, helper, therapy dog, service dog, and so many complimentary words I can’t fully list. He is the inspiration to a call to service, and among other things I call him an ambassador of love.

I’m thankful for “Q”, I bless God every day for him. See the way I see Quinn, his love and devotion, his complete desire to serve under every circumstance never failing to show compassion. Well isn’t that really Gods desire for us?

I will weep that day that God takes him from me, I know I’ll howl mournfully in my lamentation. Even now the thought of that day brings tears to my soul. But until that day, I’ll laugh, play, pet, train, and love him. I’ll embrace the work he inspired and watch the unaltered unadulterated unfettered joy he brings to others.

Quinby, my perfect friend, my dog. God spelled backwards!