Cruiser

We were blessed to have him share our lives for 11 years. I have loved many dogs in my life but there was truly something special about Cruiser. Friends described him as a “gentle soul” and “a lover”. From the time we brought him home as a puppy, it was obvious he was special. He never jumped up on people or nipped at running children. Once, he was standing by our back fence for a very long time and I wondered why. Then I realized that the little girl behind us had reached through the slats and had a hold of his muzzle. Cruiser patiently stood there while his eyes looked at me with the message – “a little help over here please”. Some of my favorite memories of him include watching him bound through the green field with his brother…sunlight glinting off his golden coat and his tail waving merrily and watching him roll on the carpet or the grass with sheer delight ending with him on his back, all four paws in the air, and a grin on his face. He helped countless children and adults during his 10 years as a therapy dog. I treasure the times he would snuggle so close to me and let out a contented sigh that all was right with the world. When he laid his head on your lap and looked up at you with his wonderfully wise eyes, it was as if loving you was all that mattered in the world.