“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ~ Anatole France
BY ABIGAIL GILMORE
From 9/11, and assisting in the rescue and recovery of Americans under the rubble, to walking the halls of children’s hospitals, to playing fetch in the yard, man’s best friend continues to touch many lives and hearts. Together with our pets, we gain companionship, friendship and maybe even rescue from loneliness. This month, three men share their story about an unbreakable bond with their four-legged best friend.
Nick and Penelope: Father and “daughter”
“She’s like a daughter, and in many ways my life kind of revolves around her,” said Nick Roshon of his cocker spaniel mix, Penelope. “She is my little girl. She sleeps right at my feet in bed (sometimes on them), rides shotgun in my car (with her own doggy seat belt), and we go jogging together every night.” Roshon said he decided to get a dog because he always had one growing up, and as soon as he graduated college, his environment was stable enough to add a member to his family. It was one of the best decisions he ever made, as his bond with Penelope is strong. “I’ve become a crazy dog person that goes on vacation and just worries how my dog is doing without me, and sometimes I feel too guilty to leave the house knowing she will be home alone, and elect to watch a pay-per-view movie and order delivery over a date-night or dinner and a movie out of the house,” Roshon said. “My dog looks to me to take care of her, and I’ve definitely developed a strong paternal instinct toward her.”
AJ and Marcy: More than just coworkers
“What better way to spend your day than working side by side with man’s best friend?” AJ Richards said. Richards considers himself lucky to be working with his 2-year-old beagle-terrier mix, Marcy. “I got Marcy in January of this year from a trainer in Tampa, Florida. Marcy was originally found by the trainers in a shelter on the list for termination and was lucky to be rescued and given a purpose,” Richards said. “Now, not only is she living in a home that loves her, she is also helping put the food on the table for me and my family.” Marcy works with Richards to sniff out bed bugs, and he describes the job as extremely gratifying. “The feeling of excitement when Marcy alerts to a hidden bed bug is like winning a prize,” he said. “And then to be able to assist others in getting rid of the nightmare that bed bugs have recently become in Phoenix, it can be very rewarding.” Richards is proud of Marcy and the help she provides people in the Valley, and appreciates the species of dogs on a very high level. “Dogs are amazing animals and have helped humans out in so many ways,” Richards said. “Dogs have saved the lives of soldiers and police officers and have also recently been found to sniff out cancer. They are also used every day to help people with disabilities live as normal a life as possible. While sniffing out bed bugs isn’t as glamorous a job as others, Marcy is happy to be helping on a daily basis.”
Robert, Max and Macie: Three’s company
“About four years ago, a beautiful, trained, very sweet and very lonely pit bull mix showed up at my back gate,” Robert Hoekman, Jr. said. That is when he began being a foster parent for pups of all breeds, genders and sizes. Since then, Hoekman Jr. has rescued 18 dogs, but currently owns two, Max and Macie, and he truly considers them part of his family. “They will be with me, together, for the rest of their lives,” Hoekman Jr. said. Hoekman Jr. adopted Macie from Animal Control when she was just seven weeks old. “Macie is a pretty spirited and independent and clever girl,” he said. “And Max was my fourth stray dog. He showed up in the alley behind the house with a friend — a yellow Lab mix. They were both covered in ticks. Max was just five months old. I couldn’t imagine how someone could take home a puppy and then neglect him enough that he’d end up in such bad shape and wandering the streets. We found the other dog a home with a great family, but Max and Macie were inseparable.” And though Hoekman Jr. is glad he can provide a home for Max and Macie, as he has for so many other dogs, the pleasure, he said, is all his. “Dogs live in the moment. They live without vanity. They don’t hold grudges. They don’t let their pasts keep them from their futures. I learn from them, and I am a better person because of them,” he said. “We should all be so lucky.”
*A note from the Editor-in-Chief: If you are interested in adding a dog to your home, please research the breed that is best fitting for your lifestyle and personality. Please choose a rescue. Animals are for life.
