The People We Meet Along Our Path In Life...

It all started with a dog (doesn't it always?). She was a troubled sort, and her adopter wasn't sure what to do with her. We met on a forum site. That was oh, about 6-7 years ago? The dog, of course, adjusted somewhat...the rest is just who she is. Her adopter and I became friends. The dog's face was on several WGSPR calendars over the years and if you happen to have a stack of our blank note cards, she is there too. That dog... this dog...

Is the one, the ONLY, BEAN! One day, out of the blue came a package from Bean's mom, Renee', that simply made my day! She wrote:

It made me cry. Inside the box was a coffee mug, some garden gloves, and tools and a windchime. How sweet, don'tcha think? I sure did, and once I got done sobbing like a baby, I smiled that someone would care about me like this.

Renee' and I never got the chance to meet in person, and her whole life changed in the time I knew her. But I never really knew that, because we typically talked dogs and gardening. And on July 28, 2012, I received word that Renee' was killed on her motorcycle. The news took my breath away! WHAT? WHY? HOW? OMG? What about BEAN? I made it a mission to find the dog. And I did. Safe and sound with Renee's love, which is where she will stay, thankfully.

I think that crazy dog that made us friends, and will continue to keep Renee' in my heart; is doing ok. She found herself a GREAT life with a GREAT guy and I made myself a new friend in the process, one that was pre-approved by Renee' herself. I will never get over how she left us that sunny, summer day, doing what she loved, and with who she loved. That dog forever binds us. Rest in peace Renee' Willeford. We loved you well.