I rescued Auggie four years ago when he was just one. I was proud and fortunate to provide him a home. The ‘bumper sticker’ cliche “Who Rescued Who” was the precise definition of our relationship. He was full of energy yet had a Master’s Degree in ‘NAP.’ He lived for a ball, any ball, anyone’s ball and everyone’s ball. He contracted cancer at too young of an age and through the last week he fought hard. But his prognosis was not good at all. The time to help him out of his pain came too soon as well. He was just five years old.
I cannot say enough about the care that Dr. Nicole Masterson provided both of us. She was gentle and respectful of Auggie and me. She made clear everything she was doing during the process and there was no doubt about her respect for Auggie’s life. When he had passed Dr. Masterson offered this phrase; “he’s free now.”
This phrase has comforted me in the time since then in ways that are indescribable. And I will always be thankful to her for that expression of care. I will miss my buddy Auggie and the hole in my heart will not soon be filled. But I know too that I will cross that Rainbow Bridge and see by boy again…and I’ll bring a ball for sure. Thanks again to everyone at Caring Pathways and in particular my deep enduring respect and appreciation to Dr. Nicole Masterson.