When I adopted Luke, he was living with his 11 siblings in a hay shed. His mother had some Dalmatian in her as her coat was all black and white spots; but she was not a full bred Dalmatian. She was a beautiful lady. She had been rescued from the streets of Washington, D.C. and brought here to the peaceful country life of Mercer County. She gave birth to her puppies here. I was told that shortly after giving birth, she was euthanized because she had a bleeding disorder. This concerned me. Anyway, I selected Luke because he was shy and his left back paw was black and white spotted to match his mother's coat. His chest had the same markings. The rest of him was completely shiny black, except for a few stands of hair on the very tip of his tail. He was so beautiful! Everyone said so. I walked him every day and we never had a walk where someone didn't stop us to remark at his beauty, charm, and sweetness. He was my Yeedle.

Luke was always at my side. We walked together, shopped together, took long rides in the car, and of course he kept me warm and cozy at night. He snored softly to let me know he was there. It was the most soothing sound I'll ever know. Luke saw me through the worst days of my life. During his time with me, my husband left us, lost his job, and went to jail. We lost our home, I scrambled to find work and my 3 teenagers were very upset and out of sorts. But, we got through it. We moved to a nice rental home that allowed pets, I found a great job (I'm a nurse), the kids settled down and we continued to move on. I could have never survived those painful days without the many hugs and kisses that Luke gave unconditionally.

One of his favorite things as a puppy was to snuggle into a basket of hot laundry that was just removed from the dryer. I often wondered if this reminded him of his days in the hay shed with his siblings.

Sadly, when Luke was just a little over a year old, he began to have seizures. I took him to the vet the next day and was told not to worry about it; however the seizures became more frequent and more violent. On Labor Day, 2003, he began to have seizures continuously. It was awful. I had to drive an hour away in the pouring rain because our local vet was closed during the holiday. When we arrived at the emergency vet clinic I was told he was critical, and may not survive. I begged the vet to save his life; and most of all prayed to God to ask for healing and comfort for Luke. My prayer was answered. A day or so later, I was able to transport Luke to our local vet where he stayed for a week. He was still unresponsive and we were not sure if he'd survive. I was so distraught over his condition - my beautiful baby - so sick, unable to eat, or walk. I sat in his cage with him for an entire day, until the vet clinic closed and I had to leave. I prayed over him, spoke softly to him and napped with him. Each day, he got stronger and made more progress until I was finally able to take him home. He was a miracle indeed. We enjoyed many happy days after this, but he continued to have seizures despite being on medication. We increased the medication as needed and kept a close eye on him. We had good days and bad days. The good days were more abundant than the bad, and I always praised God for them. Warm days in the sunshine at the creek where he loved to swim. (The creek he loved to swim in is called Wolf Creek, and the bridge that crosses over it is called the Rainbow Bridge. It is on the Campus of Grove City College!) Long rides in the car as I taught my twin teenagers to drive. Tramping through snow drifts in the winter. Shopping trips where he'd wait patiently for me in the car (windows down, of course!). I enjoyed so much peace and happiness, just because I had Luke at my side. I had Luke to greet me after a hectic day at work, Luke to greet me when I woke up in the morning and Luke to calm me as I drifted off to sleep.

This past week, Luke began to get sick again. I did all I could to save him, but it wasn't meant to be this time. I came home from work and found him sleeping on a quilt I'd left out for him. He looked peaceful, but was not responding. My heart was broken. I knew what I had to do. The kids and I wrapped him in is quilt and gently took him to the family van. The vet euthanized him as he lay in my arms. I knew he was suffering and wouldn't recover this time. I prayed for him and whispered in his ear to meet Maxy, Sam, Mercury and Blackie at the Rainbow Bridge. They'd greet him there and take care of him until someday when I get there too to meet with all of my beloved fur babies before we all enter heaven together. What a joyous day that will be. I know that Luke is now free of pain, seizures, medications and suffering. I'm sure he misses me, but I know he's with his family, and a loving God who will care for him for eternity. He was sent to me to be my healer, and he completed his mission. I would not be sitting here writing had it not been for the love and tenderness that Luke provided for me. Praise God for Luke. His life was short-- far too short for me, but long enough for him to teach me to live and go forward despite what difficulties come my way. He taught me to never give up, and to listen to what the Lord tells us to do. Thank you Luke, (Mr. Yee) for all the joy you brought to me and everyone who knew you.