In Memory of
Gwinn-Dell's Kellcastle Brogue
"Brogue"
Love never disappears for death is a non-event.
I have merely retired to the room next door.
You and I are the same; what we were for each other, we still are.
Speak to me as you always have, do not use a different tone, do not be sad.
Continue to laugh at what made us laugh.
Smile and think of me.
Life means what it has always meant.
The link is not severed.
Why should I be out of your soul if I am out of your sight?
I will wait for you, I am not here, but just on the other side of this path.
You see, all is well.
--St. Augustine
Pick male out of a litter of 6, Brogue was at paralyzed 12 weeks with what we now think was FCE. His 5 littermates easily finished their championships. He had more heart and will than any animal we have ever seen. The prognosis was grim; he probably would have to be put down. He fought to survive and we fought to save him. After two weeks he could stand for a few seconds supported by a sling. We hugged one another and cheered. Recovery was slow; his immune system was weak. Thousands of tears and thousands of dollars later, we knew he would make it. Physically, he never fully recovered, but his will and drive overcame his handicap. He moved like someone with cerebral palsy, but he didn't know he had limitations. He raced with our Borzois, and planted his massive front to make a turn, while flipping his atrophied rear around and out-turned them. It took 2 years before he could wag his tail, but his eyes showed his happiness. Several times during his 8.5 years (he outlived his littermates) he went down and we thought we would lose him, but he kept fighting to come back. Brogue was loving, gentle, and happy. He never acknowledged that he was handicapped and was one of the happiest dogs we have known.