June 14, 2018 – Morris Animal Foundation is pleased to announce that Deb Nash of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, is our Golden Retriever Lifetime Study Volunteer of the Year. Deb was selected by her peers for all she does to help fellow participants and their dogs. Deb will receive her award and be recognized at Morris Animal Foundation’s annual celebration in June.
We had a chance to talk with Deb, ask a few questions and get to know her a little bit better.
Why did you decide to enroll in the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study with your dog Zoe?
In 2000, a lifelong dream came true when I brought home my very first golden, Emma Louise. This girl was a train wreck in terms of breed and health standards. We loved her just the same. In 2008, Emma collapsed. Long story short, hemangiosarcoma stole her away from us at just 9 years of age. We’d also lost our black lab/golden mix the year earlier to stomach cancer; Bear was 10.
At the time of Emma’s death, we had our 7-month-old pup, Nash Nash (he came to us with the first name Nash) and Duke, our Treeing Walker Coonhound. Zoe joined our family in 2011. It was during Zoe’s annual checkup that I discovered the article about the study in Fetch magazine. Zoe (Hero #257) was enrolled in the study in honor of Emma. Her first study appointment was March 13, 2014; her last donation was upon her death from lymphoma on March 13, 2017. This year would have been her fifth annual visit.
What would you like us to know about Zoe?
She was truly my dog. She was very well mannered (in a house of heathens!). She was my heart and soul. Zoe loved her tennis balls. She mastered holding four tennis balls in her mouth at once. Zoe also loved the beach and the water. She was best friend to Nash Nash, a blood donor dog, and a mother to 18 beautiful pups.
Zoe was with me during the very most difficult days of my life. She was there when I lost my father, my father-in-law, and one of my dearest friends in a two-week span. Zoe was also with me when we lost our son last year (2017). She was still fighting lymphoma, but she stayed with me through my deepest grief and held on as long as she could. I believe she left me when she knew I would be all right. She died six weeks after our son.
Despite all the hardships you’ve had to endure, you still stay connected to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. Do you have a memory to share of a favorite volunteer experience?
My favorite moment, or more my most heartfelt moment, was after my son George had died. I received a beautiful, handmade quilt from my fellow 3000 Cares volunteers Genell Bogner, Gail Ingrish and Leslie Sligh. A few weeks later, I received a follow-up box that included “magic fibers” from the dogs of all previous 3000 Cares Comfort blanket recipients and a card with each recipient’s name listed. It truly was my favorite experience – feeling the love we’d sent out returned when I needed it the most.
This experience – the study heroes and supporters’ community – is likely the most powerful influence I’ve had in my life.
When you aren’t busy with the study, what else do you like to do?
Coonhound Creative Concepts is my embroidery, quilting and sewing business. I named my company after my old coonhound, Duke. This dog could do anything. He climbed out of tall pens, opened car doors and windows while I was driving, and found ways out of every crate. He was a creative soul and always interesting – and I wanted to capture the essence of Duke in my creations.
I love teaching. I have been an Adjunct Faculty Member (Project Management) with University of Phoenix for nine years. I’m a volunteer (Vice President of Operations) with Give Purrs A Chance, our local cat adoption café.
Thank you, Deb! For everything you do to support the Morris Animal Foundation Golden Retriever Lifetime Study and all our participants!
