b'lovingtributesA Last WishBy Georgina BrownThe strength of the human-animal bond can be so strong and bindingthat it maintains life itself. People go to great lengths for their dogs, anddogs for their owners. This is one of those remarkable stories.Mike, a friend of mine, asked if I could help him find Mollie a home before she died so she wouldrehome a Rottweiler. It would need to be soon.know Mollie would be taken care. She was doingit for Mollie as well as for herself.Only one other person came to my mind toapproach.WendylovesRottweilers.Shehadthreeofthem,includingayoungmalesheadopted from a rescue group. I wasnt sure shewould want to take on a fourth one, and I hesi-tated for days to finally ask her. When told aboutJeans situation, Wendy said she would sleep on it.The next morning, she asked me for Mikes con-tact information. He was thrilled when Wendyagreed to go meet Jean and Mollie. It was only ameet and greet, Wendy reminded him.TheseriousnessofJeansillnesswasnotapparent to Wendy. She appeared thin, butotherwise fine. In fact, Jean was more intent onfinding Mollie a new home than about her ownillness. Understandably, Mollie was a littlecautious of Wendy at first, but soon warmed upto her. Through her tears, Jean told Wendy howhappy she was to meet her, and that she could tellhow much she loved dogs. Wendy was so touchedby them both, she agreed to adopt Mollie.During that first meeting they discussed, atlength, the changes Mollie would face in her newhome. She would have to learn to live with threeother dogs on several acres with two horses andtwo cats. This would all be new to her. OtherMollie, pretty ThedogsnamewasMollie,andshe than a small dog belonging to a friend, Molliein pink. belongedtoJean,whowasterminallyill.She had not been around many dogs her own size.called on her friend Mike for help, knowing he With plenty of new friends, open space, and lovewas a fellow dog lover. Jean was determined to to share, Jean and Wendy agreed that, somehow,find Mollie a new and loving home before she it would work out. died.Herdogmeanteverythingtoher,and Jean urged Wendy to take Mollie home asMollie was devoted to Jean. soon as possible. Wendy told her to hang on toIt was breaking Jeans heart, but she wanted Mollie as long as she wanted. They had plenty ofto make sure her Mollie Girl would have a good time, she said. Jean said no, she didnt have muchhome and to be happy. It was important to her to time left.84THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'