By Tere Ruiz
How many times do we see a little puppy and immediately click and fall in love with it? They are so soft, they are so sweet, their breath smells so good… they look at you with their gentle eyes, and then you know, you just know, they are meant to be with you…
When I saw Gala, my beloved Golden Retriever, for the very first time, I could even see more, but not only with the eyes on my face, but with the eyes of my heart. She was sitting there looking as gorgeous as she was. I knew she was the right dog, and that was her last time to be considered a dog, because she became the Queen of my Heart.
I named her Gala because that was what she looked like, and she loved to have her pictures taken. She would always pose for you. And when you see her pictures, you can almost feel her softness and her gentleness...
Still that was not all what Gala was, she was a loving, healing, caring, devoted, and patient living creature. I remember my niece Mayte once said to me: “If I was not looking at a dog, I would swear that there is a person inside of this body.”
And no, they are not persons, but as my friend Fabiola Solbes says: “These little angels always give us lots of happiness and selfless love.”
Gala joined us and walked all the way beside us, bringing love, joy, light and magic to our lives. “Gala was a wonderful companion.” - Teresa Holloran
She was very loved and I am sure everybody who met her know why. “I'm glad I got a chance to meet Gala last time I was there..” - Tara Shaw
All what Gala was, touched and enhanced my life. With her smile, because she did smile, and you can ask Ana Kabande as a witness of her smile. She would enchant you and then all your worries, pain or sorrow would just vanish. When my father was old and sick, she wouldn’t jump all over him, instead, she would sit beside him and put her paw over his foot.
I lost my identity and became Gala’s mother when I started to walk her in the streets. The people would stop me to pet her, even if it was a rainy day and she would leave a trace of muddy paws in their clothes. I remember one day I was walking by myself, and a lady I didn’t know, stopped me very abruptly asking where the dog was.
That was my life with Gala, and I am sure it is not different from yours if you own or ever owned a dog. Gala was all this special to me, but aren’t all dogs as special as her? Just turn your head towards where your dog is sitting or laying right now, and immediately it will raise its head and wag its tail. Now matter how tired, sleepy, sick, entertained with their toys, busy with their food, they always look at you with their gentle eyes and wag their tail at you…
On February 3rd, 2010, after four cold rainy days, Gala left to play with the Angels. Andrea and I are so grateful for the blessing and gift of having her in our family. She will always remain in my heart as my queen and beloved daughter. She will remain in Andrea's as her beloved sister. We know that now she is enjoying the Heavenly breeze and the smell of nature as she always did.
“Gala sent us the sun today Tere just to let you know that she is happy in her new life...We as humans are always so lucky to be able to share our love with our little four legged friends, I am sorry that you and Andrea will be missing her but I am happy that she is happy and healthy again.” - Debb Duder
Gala brought the sun to my life and the day she left, indeed, it was a beautiful day to cover her with flowers.
I know she is fine now, I know... I am happy I will never see her suffer again, but in my heart I can see her full of life and joy. She is happy now. She lived an outstanding life as a faithful companion!
“Letting go in any area of life requires a deep trust in the universe, in the overall meaning and purpose of existence. We are all souls making our way in the world and making our way, ultimately, back to the same source.” - Anonimous
“They are part of our family & never forgotten.” - Marla Johnson
I wrote this blog with all my love, in the memory of Gala, Benito and all the dogs who have touched your lives.
If you ever move to Lake Chapala, and you don’t have or cannot bring your pet, do as many people do here, adopt a lovely, living creature, a loving companion. Give a home to a rescued dog or cat and in exchange, it will give you the opportunity to enjoy the most wonderful treasure of life…LOVE!
Tere Ruiz-Rodarte: Director of Research and Development FocusOnMexico.
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