I’d like to share a story with you. I’m a happy (although at times anxious) 10 year old red merle Australian Shepherd. I’m a focused, high-drive gal who loves the great outdoors and anything involving a ball…especially those tennis balls! I am also deeply loyal and devoted to my pack. But, enough about me. What I really want to tell you about is my family, my pack.

There’s me of course, my mom, my dad, my Will and my Sarah. They scooped me up and brought me home when I was just eight weeks old. I had an immediate connection with my Sarah. It was love at first sight! With my mom…not so much. And, if I’m being totally honest, initially, she wasn’t a hundred percent sold on me either! Nonetheless, home with them I went and, you know what…in no time at all, my mom and I became inseparable and remain so today.

Our pack lived happily together for many years until my Will and my Sarah went off to college… why did they have to go? I still haven’t gotten to the bottom of that, but I digress. In their absence, I noticed the mood in the house had changed. It was much less busy…quiet and, honestly, a little sad. I’m not certain, but I think I even saw a tear or two come from my mom and my dad’s eyes on occasion. Don’t get me wrong, this was a very exciting time for my Will and my Sarah, but they had moved far away to the East Coast for school. Not seeing them every day was initially hard on me and of course, my mom and my dad. Let’s just call it “a gloomy period.” I knew I had to do something to bring joy back to my pack and into the household!

After work and dinner, to get their attention, I’d put on my happiest face and bound around the house, relentlessly, until my collar and leash were in place. I would walk them on the trails around our house. I’d toss balls at their feet until they came out to the backyard with me. I’d exercise their arms, running myself ragged to retrieve balls, until they finally had had enough and I’d bring them back inside.

When it was time to settle in and watch our shows, I’d climb up on the couch between them, making sure to spend an equal amount of time on each of their laps. Finally, when it was time to go to bed, and they were all tucked in, I would gently kiss their hand or cheek before closing my eyes myself. Exhausting. These were exhausting days! But, I was determined to lift their spirits and bring joy back into the house…and, you know what…it worked!

Today, I’m happy to report that our pack is thriving and our home is bustling again! My Will and my Sarah still live far away, but they come home to visit whenever they can…and, when they do, you should see the show that I put on for them! Quite impressive, if I do say so myself!

I share this story with you because my pack is everything to me. I have an unconditional love for them that I can’t explain. I would go to any lengths to please them and keep them happy. It’s a lot of work looking after my pack, but it’s the job I was born to do. The love and attention I’ve received back from them, is all I’ll ever need.

Unfortunately, many of my canine friends don’t have such a happy story to share. Too many of them are looking for homes and forever families of their own. I hope you’ll join me and GIVESSE in supporting the Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the wonderful work they’re doing for my friends in waiting.