Freedom

26-Mar-13

My Beloved Freedom was born on July 4, 2001 in Nelson, British Columbia. My son got him from a box of 12 pups at a festival he was at. The owners were giving them away at 6 wks old. My son was 19. He and his friend both got a pup to take on their hitchhiking journey thru BC.

When he called me and told me I was aghast and could only think poor dogs. He told me he was a St. Bernard and collie mix. My reaction was "too big!" As the weeks went on my son told me how awesome this dog was and it piqued my interest. I decided to fly up and see my son and meet this Freedom dog. My son warned me "you will fall in love mom." And fall in love I did and Freedom and my journey began. We were on Vancouver Island on Sept. 11, 2001, and due to fly home that day. Needless to say we did not fly anywhere as this was THE Sept, 11. On the ferry from Vancouver to the US there were a million dogs as there had been a dog show on the island that weekend. It was there we learned he was a Briard, not a Bernard! Such a beauty he was.

I rented a car and we drove from Canada to San Diego. Freedom was 11 weeks old at the time.

The first time we came to Canine Corners it was in Oct. 2001 and the dogpark had just opened. It was a near daily routine for the rest of his life.

In the summer of 2002 we tired out for the part of Sandy in the play "Annie". And being the charmer that he was he got the part, hands down. We had such fun.

I tried to get him in movies, or commercials but found out that "handlers" did this sort of thing and we just gave up after a bit as I was not going to let anyone handle him but me. Being the humble guy he was he was totally unaffected by the whole thing.

He was a loyal loving companion to me and a joy to be around. I learned much from his loving spirit and his joyful being.

I have never talked to so many people in my life as I did when I had him with me. "What kind of dog is he?" was the question.

Well the kind of dog he was is the embodiment of LOVE. He never did a bad thing in his whole life. I just had to tell him no one time and he never did it again.

He loved every person he came in contact with (especially if you had a cookie) and if someone ignored him he would look up at me with those big brown eyes and say "Why isn't he all over me like everyone else is?" He didn't understand everyone does not like dogs. This is something I do not understand either...

So with a heavy heart I say... Good Bye Mr. Freedom, go play at the big dogpark in the sky with all of your beloved doggie friends who have gone before you. I will miss you every day of my life and thank you for all the joy you gave me and everyone you met.

I love you sweetie, you were such a good Boy!