I just tried to re-post one of my “Facebook memories” and, for some reason, Facebook refused to post it. It was a real tear-jerker of a story. So I will try to recreate it for you.
This young couple got married and had a child. The adults each brought their own pet dog to the marriage, and when the newborn little girl was brought home, both dogs were totally taken with the new addition. The woman’s dog was named Zack and the man’s was named Sam. Zack took immediate ownership of the little girl, accepting the responsibility as her protector. When she lay on a blanket on the floor, Zack would lie with one foot on that blanket, just to be there if she needed him. As it turns out, I am tearing up just remembering and typing this.
Anyway, a ritual evolved when the little girl’s bedtime arrived at the same hour each night. She would go to the foot of the stairs, where she would then stop and await the arrival of her protector. And Zack would promptly step to her side, and accompany her up to bed.
Then one awful day, Zack was tragically poisoned by some delinquent neighbor kids. He died on the kitchen floor, everyone in tears. But the true nature of the event apparently didn’t hit home for the little girl until bedtime arrived. When she paused, there was no Zack at the foot of the stairs. But here is where the story grabs you and shakes you to the core. The other family dog, Sam, immediately stepped up to fill the role, and accompanied the little girl up to bed. And he did so every night for the next six years, until he, too, breathed his last breath on planet Earth.
I have no way of knowing who originated this story, so I cannot credit them. But you can still enjoy it if you choose. At the conclusion of the story, the original poster added, “If you weren’t obsessed with dogs before, this will do it.” My sister commented, “I’ve got something in my eyes.” I added a “Me, too.” I have tried to do the story its true justice, as it was a wonderfully moving experience for me, whether the story is actually true or not. Meanwhile, Facebook apparently doesn’t believe it is worth your time.