Whitney and Rob, A True Story

by Darlene Petralia

Often, breeders will place older dogs they have shown and bred.  It is difficult,  but letting them go to wonderful homes to be "the one and only" is the best way to reward them for all they have given us.    Some, though, we know we must keep forever.

CH Gray Stone Brown Eyed Girl,  known as  Whitney,  was one of these for me.  The  daughter of my very favorite homebred girl,  Ella,  she was the last link I had with her.  She was beautiful,  quite  a snob,  aloof, not at all  your typical Cavalier.   In fact,  her tongue in cheek nickname was Whit the Twit  because she wasn't at all.  The dog had absolutely NO sense of humor.    She was rather stingy with her affection;   remote with strangers, didn't care much for kids or other dogs, she  loved only her own puppies   (and then up  to a point)  and me.  Or so I thought.

One day a lovely retired couple came to visit to see Cavaliers in person.  They  thought they might like an older dog.   They didn't feel they wanted to take on a puppy at this stage of their life.   They had become intrigued with Cavaliers on television,  but had not met any in person.

They sat in my sunroom with all my dogs and we talked about Cavaliers.  Uncharacteristically,  Whit jumped up next to the husband,  Rob, and settled herself by his side as we chatted.   When we got up to go into the kitchen to talk about joining our local club,  she did the most extraordinary thing.  She followed Rob to the end of the couch, barking at him all the way.   I was  shocked.  It wasn't a "bad" bark,  she was talking to him!

 Rob dutifully went back and patted her some more,  but when he attempted to leave,  she did the same thing.   She had NEVER done anything remotely like this in her life!      Once more he went back,  rubbed her ears and talked to her.     I couldn't hear what he said, but whatever it was, she let him leave this time.  My husband and I exchanged  the "what's that all about?" look.

Violet (Rob's wife)  and I went into the computer room to print off a club membership form and to talk about finding them an older Cavalier.    Violet asked about Whit,  but I was not prepared to let her and go.  Besides, she was 7 years old and had just been diagnosed with a grade two heart murmur.  

It was then,  Violet confided in me that Rob had stage- four lung cancer and was terminally ill.  

When I recovered from this news,  I told her that we would find them a Cavalier right away.

I began searching desperately for an older, healthy Cavalier for this wonderful couple.   Days went by,  and Violet called several times to see how the search was going.    Several possibilities came up,  but for one reason or another did not work out.   Finally, Violet said,   "Darlene,  Rob only  wants Whitney.  He has fallen in love."

I was very concerned for Violet,  Whitney had been heart- clear at six years,  and had gone to a grade two in one year.   I was afraid she might have a fast progressing murmur.  How much loss would Violet be able to endure?

I screwed up my courage to say this to her,  and she said that she would risk  it, if I would let Rob have her.

So, with much trepidation  I took Whit to the vet's for a thorough exam.   We found that  Whitney was actually very  healthy, and her murmur had not progressed.

On December 5th, Rob and Violet came to pick her up.   For my husband and me  it was a day of such hard hitting emotion;  I can't find the words to describe it.     For Rob and Whitney, it was as natural as if they had known each other for years.

Violet describes their bond as mystical.   It is a very good word.  

Whitney (nevermore to be known as Whit the Twit)  threw herself into her self-appointed mission.   Always by Rob's side,  in his chair with him,  walking with him,  they communicated without words.  Violet would often see Rob stroking Whitney and staring into her face.   She never knew what he was thinking,  but we are sure Whitney did.    It's not enough to say that they loved each other.   Rob's love for Whitney transformed her. 

Rob had been a much- loved high school teacher before his retirement.    An interactive person,  giving of himself to others,   a loving and supportive husband, father and friend.   Somehow,  his spirit  opened Whitney's heart.   She lost her reserve, became affectionate with the other people in her life.   She decided she rather liked children after all and the cat was okay too.    She truly did blossom.

Whitney's love for Rob was beyond our ken.     A form of telepathic understanding that did not take any time to develop - it was there from that  first meeting.   A love so capable in it's strength that Rob told Violet that having Whitney eased his mind about leaving her.

Rob did leave, on the last day of June.   He was at home with his family around him.   Whitney lay at his side as close as she could be.   When he passed, the family allowed her to lay there a little longer.  Then she got up and kissed his cheek.

Whitney grieves with Violet and comforts her too.  She is there when everyone else has to be elsewhere.   Occasionally she sits on the hearth  and rests  her chin  on "their"  chair,  a reminder that she hasn't forgotten  and to let Violet know  she knows they both miss him.

All is not sad, though.   Violet and Whitney have the love of  family and friends and  they enjoy traveling to visit with them.  Whitney has learned to play tag (at such an advanced age!).  She plays with and comforts the grandchildren.    She discourses with the other dogs in her extended family.   She gives comfort and joy,  and takes comfort and joy.

How did this little dog know?   What made her choose them?   We  will probably never know,  but there is NO doubt she   had a mission in her life  and SHE  knew it.    She has fulfilled and is still fulfilling  that mission with  a personality  and generosity of spirit that was hidden from us all,  until the day that Rob came into her life.