Tail Talk

Chance riding in the hearse.

While the people of the United States remained blissfully unaware, during the Christmas season there was a story of such sad proportions taking place in Canada that I’m stunned that our news media ignored it.  The world became fixated on balloon boy while the story of James Delorey of Nova Scotia and his dog Chance didn’t even become a footnote.  I am grateful to have an opportunity to change that today, and because of the kindness of the CBC, Canadian Press and the Cape Breton Press giving their permission to use their story and photos I am able to share this story with you:

Hundreds of people, and one faithful dog, gathered yesterday for the funeral of a 7-year-old Nova Scotia boy who died after wandering from his home just before a huge snowstorm.

James Delorey, of Nova Scotia, spent two nights lost in the woods with no winter clothing. When rescue teams finally found him unconscious but clinging to life, everyone hoped for a Christmas miracle. But it was not to be. Tragically, he died in the hospital from complications of severe hypothermia.

But it seems James, who was autistic and could not speak, did not endure the torment of his last days by himself.   His faithful dog, Chance, stayed by his side.   The dog did not leave him for two days.

“Chance returned to the family home two days later, sparking renewed hope in the search for James.   As one team of searchers followed Chance’s tracks back into the woods, another team worked from the opposite direction, and they found James.

He was huddled in the fetal position in an area of thick brush and snow about a kilometre from his home.   Unconscious and suffering from severe hypothermia, he was airlifted to the hospital where he died early the next day.

There was an imprint in the snow next to where James was found, where Chance had apparently huddled with the boy to keep him warm.” reports the CBC.

Yesterday Chance rode in the passenger seat of James’ hearse, and walked into the packed church behind his boy’s casket. The little boy will be deeply missed by many people – and by one faithful canine friend.

Chance escorting the casket

I have said many, many times in Tail Talk that our animals can bring us comfort through our most difficult times.  Thank God James had Chance during his final hours to bring him warmth, comfort, and love, and when he could do no more for James and returned home it was his footprints in the snow that brought the rescuers to his side.   You can ask no more from man’s best friend.  Every animal we have at the Randolph County Humane Society is someone’s Chance.  And never forget, it is only through you that we continue to save lives, one by one.

The Rescuer’s Final Reward – Author Unknown

Unlike most days at the Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray. All the recent arrivals at the Bridge did not know what to think, as they had never seen such a day. But the animals that had been waiting longer for their beloved people to accompany them across the Bridge knew what was happening, and they began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge.

Soon an elderly dog came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. He approached slowly, and though he showed no sign of injury or illness, he was in great emotional pain. Unlike the animals gathered along the pathway, he had not been restored to youth and vigor upon arriving at the Bridge. He felt out of place, and wanted only to cross over and find happiness.

But as he approached the Bridge, his way was barred by an angel, who apologized and explained that the tired and broken-spirited old dog could not cross over. Only those animals accompanied by their people were allowed to cross the Bridge. Having nobody, and with nowhere else to turn, the dog trudged into the field in front of the Bridge. There he found others like himself, elderly or infirm, sad and discouraged. Unlike the other animals waiting to cross the Bridge, these animals were not running or playing. They simply were lying in the grass, staring forlornly at the pathway across the Rainbow Bridge. The old dog took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting, yet not knowing for what he was waiting.

One of the newer dogs at the Bridge asked a cat who had been there
longer to explain what was happening. The cat replied, “Those poor animals were abandoned, turned away, or left at rescue places, but never found a home on earth. They all passed on with only the love of a rescuer to comfort them. Because they had n o people to love them, they have nobody to escort them across the Rainbow Bridge.”

The dog asked the cat, “So what will happen to those animals?”

Before the cat could answer, the clouds began to part and the cold turned to bright sunshine. The cat replied, “Watch, and you will see.” In the distance was a single person, and as he approached the Bridge the old, infirm and sad animals in the field were bathed in a golden light. They were at once made young and healthy, and stood to see what their fate would be. The animals that had previously gathered at the pathway bowed their heads as the person approached. At each bowed head, the person offered a scratch or hug.

One by one, the now youthful and healthy animals from the field fell
into line behind the person. Together, they walked across the Rainbow Bridge to a future of happiness and unquestioned love. The dog asked the cat, “What just happened?” The cat responded, “That was a rescuer. The animals gathered along the pathway bowing in respect were those who had found their forever homes because of rescuers. They will cross over when their people arrive at the Bridge. The arrival here of a rescuer is a great and solemn event, and as a tribute they are permitted to perform one final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort all those poor animals they couldn’t place on earth across the Rainbow Bridge.”

The dog thought for a moment, and then said, “I like rescuers.” The cat smiled and replied, “So does Heaven, my friend. So does Heaven.”

Don’t forget, March 13^th is the annual St. Patty’s for Pets silent auction, dinner and dance at the VFW in Sparta with something for all.  And never forget, it is only through you that the Randolph County Humane Society continues to save lives, one by one.