MELODIE MOMENTS

Melodie had her moments and her personalities to match. During her 13 years I was never able to master the job of trimming her. She deserved better. Goodness knows I tried. I even had her breeder give me a lesson. But it just wasn't one of my talents. It didn't seem to bother Melodie. She would sit patiently on the table while I worked on her lovely face, ears, and form.

When I finished, I'd put her down and she would romp off, with ears flying, into the family room and sit there and look at me in such a grand way. She had two personalities. One when she was trimmed and stately and another when she was a tomboy. We loved both. Her behavior was so totally different and I think she actually loved the change and played it to the hilt. All I could do is just laugh and tell her how beautiful she looked. She looked so pleased but I often wondered if she really knew what a rotten job I'd done. I think she just appreciated the attention and effort.

Melodie was an allergy dog from day one. She had a team of doctors. They all loved her. She reacted differently to each one of them. Her dermatologist was my favorite. He was tops in his field but it took getting used to his lack of conversation and always straight face. But he knew how to manage her allergies. She didn't see him often but I remember one day in particular. This was probably a year or two before she died. She was to have a check-up. We went into the room. I sat down and for the first time in all of those years, Melodie politely jumped up on the chair next to me and sat patiently, looking especially lady-like with her recently trimmed body. The door opened, in walked her doctor. He stood a moment and looked directly at her with his straight face and said nothing. Melodie looked him in the eye and he burst out laughing. They had a meeting of the minds. It was my favorite visit that I will always remember.

Later in her life, Melodie ran into some back problems. Her vet, unsure what was going on, suggested I take her to an alternative doctor that had helped some of her other patients. She thought that accupuncture/accupressure might help. At least we'd get a answer to what was causing her problems.

It turned out that she did have a spinal problem that was helped with accupressure. Melodie loved going there. She always felt so much better afterwards. She loved her doctor so much and always showed her appreciation after her treatments. It was amazing to watch their relationship develop over the later years. I was never that sold on alternative medicine but I saw its positive effects and feel it has its place in traditional medicine.

I still see Melodie flying down the hall with ears waving in the breeze, head held high, and a look of happiness on her face. I know she had a wonderful life doing everything she wanted to do. I think she caught three rabbits in the backyard. She ran the lives of two Goldens as well as our lives and home. Every day was a challenge for her. She had her routine and freedom to be all she wanted to be. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was not above teasing now and then. She loved waste baskets, computer paper edges, anything hanging out of your pocket, and the puppy pool. I don't think she missed being a hunting dog. She was too busy living life.