In the fall of 2002, we began searching the GRRACE website to find a golden. Sam was about 10 (or maybe older) and was a grand gentleman. His foster mom, Mary Liz, graciously shared him with us. Always polite, always gentle, Sam returned the devotion and love shared with him a hundred fold. Sam had somehow ended up in a shelter and he seemed to know and appreciate that he was in his forever home. He was also deaf and we were able to teach him to follow commands with sign language. Our vet felt he was probably older than his assumed age and his eyesight began to diminish. In June, 2004, we were asked to foster a tripod, 10 year old Golden named Harley. As it turned out, we were Harley's forever family. Our home became an odd arrangement of area rugs to help Harley with his footing and Harley and Sam became great buddies. Harley also became an assistance dog to Sam...staying close to him and giving him cues. In the spring of 2006, Harley also became certified as a therapy dog through the Delta Society. He began listening to children read in the Paws to Read program at the Brownsburg Library. He loved the children as much as they loved him.
Harley left us suddenly in May,2006. He slipped away from us just as he had slipped into our lives. Sam seemed to realize that his best buddy was waiting for him at the Rainbow Bridge and he left us just 10 days later. To our family, this was no surprise. What wonderful years we had with these two old gentlemen and what lessons they taught us in devotion and love!