August Canine Angel of the Month
Corrie
In 1993 my husband and I moved to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan to start a bible school with a local church. There were only one or two people that spoke English. I was home alone most of the time. A month or so later, we found the cutest puppy! In Russia, they sell dogs on the street near major department stores. A lady with her two daughters were standing there in a line with others, each little girl had a Collie pup under their coats!
We brought home Coridon Black Silver, aka Corrie, that day in February '94. He changed our lives. Being so far from home, he was my companion and best friend. We spent the days emailing family, or running free in the fields across from our 'Soviet block type’ apartments. We chased, or rather were chased by - real sheep dogs, camels and unseen boggy dogs! We returned to California when Corrie was three years old, when he would bark, the other neighborhood dogs would grow silent - we were sure he was barking in Russian!
When Corrie was five years old he had a perineal hernia repaired. It was a good repair, but the other side stretched, so he had frequent trips to the vet to be cleaned out. The vets were always amazed that he never threw a fit during these painful procedures, but rather waited patiently, knowing they were going to make him feel better.
Corrie was our main source of entertainment - always there with a kiss (we didn't do mouth kisses, I would kiss his eyes and top of his head, and he would kiss me by poking my eyes with his nose) - he loved to play and his favorite game was hide-n-seek! He loved when we would jump out of a closet or from behind a door, he would give a gentle ruff, and wait to play again.
He was smart, he knew his toys and could take what you asked to anyone - he knew our names, and grandma/grandpa's names and our son's name. He was beautiful, people stopped me on the street to say what a beautiful dog he was, and he was kind to all. While walking, if we saw a 'little dog' Corrie would lay down so that he was on their level, he only got bit once while doing this.
When Corrie turned 13, he started slowing down, lost most of his eye sight and hearing, had arthritis, and towards the end, he lost his equilibrium. Right after his 14th birthday, he stopped eating and drinking, and we knew the time was near for his passing. Corrie left this earth on February 13, 2008. The heartache was almost more than I could bear, but I knew that being with him while he breathed his last breath was important, as he passed from my loving arms into the arms of Jesus. I cried so much that I had to work with my office door closed for two weeks; my eyes were so swollen. Corrie will always be my canine angel.
R. Farris,
California
Why is your canine an angel?
We know your dog is special, and means the world to you. Now is your chance, in 250 words or less, to express how deep your love goes. Capture a moment, or tell a story. Reflect on something that best defines the magic your canine companion provides. We select our Canine Angel of the Month based on the emotion your words evoke, however spoken or expressed. We are looking for heart, and the substance that reveals the spirit of your canine angel. Simply spoken or elaborate, any expression is worthy.
All entries will be thoughtfully considered and archived for current and future contests. We will contact every entrant chosen and add all selections to our Angel's Canine Hall of Fame, a photographic assembly of the canine angels in our lives. One entrant will be selected each month, with the photo and story published in this section for all our friends to enjoy. All stories and photos will become the property of 100% Angel.
How to submit Your Dog for Canine Angel of the Month
1. Write a story about why your dog is a Canine Angel to you
2. Take a photo of your dog
3. E-mail or snail mail your story to 100% Angel
e-mail askdoggymom@sbcglobal.net
Mail - 100% Angel - Canine Angel Story
14161 Riverside Drive Suite # 8
Sherman Oaks CA 91423
