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My name is Leslie Hurdy. My husband Terry and I were lucky enough to receive from Karen's breeding the second born of her first litter-the Heart litter. We have Cooper, Monterey Bay Healing Heart, a name which today seems most appropriate.
After hearing so many of Karen's great accomplishments and what she did for all of us, I would like each of you to take a moment to think about how she influenced your life. In a moment's thought, the list is long-very long. Let me give you a few examples: For my best friend Myra, it was when her beloved Happi developed cancer. After their first treatment at the oncologist, Karen, who had Molson there for treatment as well, said, "Come on, let's go for an ice cream." Of course, that ice cream was for Happi and Molson, the first and only scoop of Haagen Daz Happi ever tasted. For Terry and me, it was with our Gracie, who was diagnosed with hip dysplasia at six months. It was Karen who directed us to the best surgeon in the area. It was Karen who loaned us a crate large enough for an exuberant puppy to live in for six months. It was Karen who said, "I'll bring my van to pick you up. We'll go to the hospital together, and Gracie can ride home in my van-which hasn't any steps." It was Karen who went into the hospital to bring her out because Karen knew how devastating it would be to see Gracie's shaved body and three large scars. And, most importantly, it was Karen who not only held up Gracie but also held up Terry and me-emotionally. For all of us, whenever our goldens were in trouble-- after eating five steaks or limping without cause or vomiting for hours--we called Karen for advice. And not only did Karen tell us the right thing to do, but what was MOST remarkable is that she always returned our calls. She ALWAYS returned our calls. For all of these acts, calls, e-mails, Karen worked herself into our lives and our hearts. And that is what makes today so very difficult. This past week I have had some time for reflection, and what I have arrived at were four thoughts or discoveries which have brought me some peace, a smile or two, and even some joy. The first is that Karen is at the Rainbow Bridge. Karen is at the Rainbow Bridge! She is with Molson and Thumper and Jackson and Blackberry and Happi and Norton and Gracie. She is with her and our beloved goldens. And-our beloved goldens are with her. You know, I trust the Lord with my life, but quite honestly, when it comes to my goldens, I cannot think of anyone I would rather entrust them to than Karen Lindstrom. A second thought came to me when I went to school last Monday morning. I had this awful emptiness that I could never e-mail Karen again. I could not tell her (and, by the way, I take Cooper with me to school every day) what funny thing Cooper did today, how some kid loved him, and how very, very thankful I was to her for my wonderful dog. But then I realized, in my despair, that Karen could still be e-mailed; she was just at a different address. So on Monday I tried an address at the Rainbow Bridge, which came back to me immediately. Undaunted, I tried again, with a different e-mail on Wednesday, and by Friday afternoon, that message had not been returned. So, if you want to continue communicating with Karen via e-mail, let me share her new address with you: klindstrom@rainbowbridge.GOD The third discovery I had was this past Sunday when a friend came to our house to get some assistance with grooming her golden's ears. You know, Sophie had those ears that looked like angel wings. So my husband Terry worked on her for about an hour. After that time, Barbara looked at her Sophie, and being pleased with the new look, asked, "Where did you learn how to groom goldens?" Terry responded, "Everything I learned about grooming, I learned from Karen." And then it occurred to me. If we want to continue Karen's legacy, if we want to keep her here with us, if we want to introduce her to people who never had the pleasure of her company, then WE have to continue her good work. We have to share her tips on grooming. We have to be knowledgeable and continue learning about our breed. We have to share that knowledge willingly with others. We have to practice good breeding and concern ourselves about the health of our golden retrievers. And we have to allow a child to pet our show dog right before he goes into the ring. That is how we will keep Karen alive and with us! Lastly, and here is the best thought, I realized the other day that when I put my arms around Cooper, I was putting my arms around Karen. Right now, I want you to bend down and hug that golden or that Newfoundland . . . that dog who is at your feet, and know, that while you are doing so, you are hugging Karen. And, if we are still for just a minute, if we stop our busy-ness and listen quietly, we will hear . . . in a whimper, a whine, a bark (and Rosie barked here!), perhaps even a growl . . . Karen talking to us. We love you, Karen. God bless you. God bless you, Paul. God bless all of our dogs both here and there, and God bless all of us who care for them. |