I said good-bye to my buddy, my shadow, my second husband (he thought!) on July 1, 2009. What a joy he brought me; what challenges he presented me with on a daily basis. Many times I had to ask 'Is Amos smarter than I am?' Sometimes it seemed so. Wherever I put him, he got out. He would let all the other dogs out and then couldn't figure out how to put them back. He could almost read minds.

What a perfect thief! I baked a triple recipe, from scratch, for the nice people at Benji's Bed and Breakfast, and made the mistake of walking outside for a short interval. When I returned, the platter of brownies - complete with pecans - was on my living room carpet with one very small crumb. Amos stood there smiling. (He had yogurt for dinner, :))

This wonderful rescue came from TOESR in North Carolina. He began his life in Myrtle Beach with some doctors. They pawned him off to a nurse who couldn't keep him. She took him to a group who sold him for big bucks to a wonderful family in Charlotte. From that point, I was unable to connect the dots. He was rescued by TOESR after he had been living chained in the owner's backyard on a cement pad with no doghouse. This was probably why Amos had to be medicated pending thunderstorms. He was petrified.

Pete at TOESR took several days with sheep shears to separate the huge mats of fur from Amos's skin. He was fostered at Muttley Manor for a few weeks and then the last journey of his life began - Retirement at Pawley's Island, SC! Quickly he settled in and found the shops at the Hammock Shops that offered 'stimulus' packages of liver treats. Those were the only shops Amos wanted to visit. Wonderful shop owners even supplied cool water after our walks.

Amos' agility began to fail rapidly, and our walks decreased. Even with medicine, getting up and down was painful. He'd lay on his bed, and he ate and drank lying down. The time came too soon. My constant companion crossed over the Bridge.

My thanks to Belinda of Tarheel OES Rescue for sharing this wonderful old man with me. I also love my vet, Dr. Candy Boyd who came and helped Amos cross over with such care and compassion. I thank my brother who drove me to NC to meet my new friend and to my son, Matt, who was in charge of Amos's funeral arrangements.

A dear, dear friend gave me a beautiful forget-me-not ring she said was from Amos to remember him. my life is better having known him.

Joanne Bellamy
Rest in Peace, Amos.