It was almost as if she had been specifically trained for me. She was my service dog, and I found her abandoned in a public park in Abilene Texas on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend 2012.
She was skinny and had multiple infections and she came to me as soon as I pulled in the park.
After a trip to the vet and weeks of posting her picture and seeking reports of a lost dog, it was clear she was staying.
Since we found each other in Seabee Park, I named her Seabee.
She seemed trained to know sadness was coming. She never barked, except that one time I came home early and faked a break in to scare my 12 year of son. Seabee came to his instant defense.
She slept beside me from the first night - and every night for almost 11 years.
She seemed to know when I was at my lowest, as she’d get close and rest her head on my hand or leg. She’d jump into my lap and make her 50 pound self comfortable. She’d sleep next to my desk at work - and snore. Loudly.
If I took her to the dog park, she’d ignore the other dogs and go socialize with all the people. She was all love. Pure love.
I didn’t realize how much that constant stream of unconditional love and attention meant to my spirit until that last night when she awoke, gasped for air, and went back to sleep (or so I thought).
12:01 AM January 2, 2023 her body failed her spirit and stopped.
I know she’s in a better place and I know she’s still watching over me. She may have even helped direct one weirdly perfect puppy in my direction.
Don’t under estimate the power of a dog’s love. I swear they’re angels. Well, at least one was. Now, 7 months down the road, I can see she left right before I contacted the VA for help. Or was it because I didn’t have her to lean on that helped push me to reach out?
She’s still out there somewhere and I know I’ll see her again.
Thank you Seabee Rose. You saved my life.
