McDonald: Dog had huge impact over six years

About six years ago, we picked up a shelter dog, named her Ellie and made her our own. A mutt by birth and all dog by disposition, she came into our lives right on time — especially for our older daughter, a teenager at the time who suffered from more than just the angst that goes with those years.

“I used to feel embarrassed to admit that I struggled with depression for years,” my daughter Amy bravely wrote on her Facebook page recently, “but I need to give credit where it is due. Ellie kept me afloat during the hardest time of my life. She was so loyal. She was there for me when I thought no one else was. I could always count on her to listen when I cried and to cuddle when I felt alone. She showed me unconditional love.”

link Tom McDonald

It’s amazing how deeply pets can touch our lives. I’m proud to report that my daughter has overcome her demons and has become an incredible, and incredibly talented, young adult. The life she’s building for herself is both promising and exciting, and I couldn’t be happier for her. A parent’s wish is for our children to do better than we did, and she’s on her way to doing exactly that.

And Ellie, in her dogged way, helped make Amy what she is today.

As a medium-sized dog, Ellie was an escape artist who became quite skilled at bolting from the premises when the opportunity arose. I think everyone in my immediately family has a story about having to chase her down after she managed to escape from the house, the yard, or the leash.

Of course, Ellie’s impact on our family was significant. Without question, she won the hearts of all of us — mother, daughters and, yes, me. I found myself taking her for more and longer walks through the years, to get that restless energy out of her system.

Tragedy struck the weekend before Christmas. Ellie and I were walking through a school parking lot, with Ellie running free. I intended to put her back on the leash before we got to the street, but that’s not what happened.

There was a cat, which took off and Ellie gave chase. I yelled, but she ignored me. The cat darted across the street and Ellie followed, just as a pickup accelerated through the intersection.

I saw it all. It’s my new nightmare.

The pickup sped away and I ran to Ellie, lying in the street bleeding. She was unconscious as I carried her to the side of the road and practically lay down beside her. She died right there, and my heart broke.

I like to imagine there’s a heaven for dogs, and it’s right in front of the pearly gates. Then they’ll be there to greet us humans, with tails wagging from end to end, when we show up to meet our maker.

Then I imagine God asking us how we treated man’s best friend.

We loved her deeply, I’ll say — almost as much as she loved us.

Tom McDonald is editor of the New Mexico Community News Exchange. Contact him at:

[email protected]