The Power of the Puppy

When tragic events happen, no amount consoling, flowers, and “with sympathy” cards can truly mend the damage. Sometimes the only thing that can begin to remedy the pain is a little puppy love.

My teammate and good friend Colleen has had an unbelievably difficult month. When I say unbelievably difficult, I mean, the grief counselor burst into tears upon hearing her story. Just when it seemed like life couldn’t throw anything else at her, she received bad news yet again.

She was surrounded by loving friends and family, always there with a shoulder to cry on. Even with all this support, we knew that it wasn’t enough. She needed something more, something to begin to fill an empty place in her heart.

After not-so-subtly suggesting it to her Mom, Colleen brought home Bailey, the Lhasapoo (mix of a Lhasa Apso and a Poodle).

Eager to show off her new friend, I helped Colleen sneak Bailey into the dorms. We could barely contain our smiles when we walked past the front desk into the elevators with the puppy in my purse. As the clumsy, white ball of fluff scampered up and down the hallway, pouncing on whatever she could find, I looked at Colleen. For the first time in weeks, I saw warmth behind my friend’s smile.

While Bailey cannot replace the losses in Colleen’s life, that little puppy represents rebirth and the beginning of the rebuilding process. A little white ball of energy and adorable-ness is going to help her cope and grow stronger. I will forever believe in the power of the puppy.