September brings a month of mixed-emotions for me. This week for instance, I was reminded that five years ago, Rich and I were headed from Georgia to a family wedding in Virginia then on to New Jersey to help clean out our family home in New Jersey. We also made a trip to the Jersey Shore and celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary which of course held special meaning as our wedding took place on a paddle boat on the Manasquan River in 1996.
Next week, the last full week of September, is also the Awareness Observance of National Dog Week. Ninety-nine years strong, this seven day tribute to canines was launched by Capt. Wm. Lewis Judy to honor all the ways dogs help their humans. It became a significant part of my life’s path bringing so many talented people into our lives.
Upon discovering this fascinating holiday for dogs, I was inspired to write the biography of its founder, Dog’s Best Friend: Will Judy, Founder of National Dog Week and Dog World Publisher (McFarland & Company – 2014). Captain Judy was a man ahead of his time. Trained as a pastor in his youth, he chose instead to serve in the US Army and then travel the world eventually purchasing Dog World Magazine in the mid 1920s. In many ways he was a pioneer writing about the emotional lives of dogs and their therapeutic value long before it was mainstream to do so. It took me about a year to document Judy’s life and times, and a year to write the book, but I’m honored to have chronicled such an important part of American Canine History.
Will Judy was a prolific author and his writing set me on a path that still winds today. As I write this, two of my local rescue dogs, Winnie and Jackson, surround me on the couch. They bring me so much happiness with their antics and loving natures.
Seven weeks after my husband passed in 2021, I traveled to San Diego to adopt a puppy I named Quint. It became apparent early on that Quint was substantially visually impaired. Despite his limited sight, Quint was my emotional guide dog during those harrowing early days of my widowhood. He will turn five next month and his quirky and independent nature still lightens my days here in our home in rural Old Florida.
My partner, David brought his Australian Shepherd Penny into our lives, followed by the adoption of Winnie and Jackson. I never dreamed I’d have four dogs at once. It’s a challenge at times, but they are a sweet pack and get along except for an occasional bout of sibling rivalry.
These days, most of my good friends are heavily into grandparenting, or “granding” as I call it. I don’t have kids, so I do enjoy hearing stories about their cute grand kids and seeing those adorable photos and videos. As their families grow with added grands, I happily and genuinely congratulate them. However, when I mention that there might be a fifth dog sniffing its way into this household, I’m often met with consternation. “Another one?” some ask clearly dismayed. For the record, when I’m informed of additional grand children I will never ask, “Another one?”
For those of us that don’t have that big growing and loving family surrounding us, and have lost a spouse, our dogs fill a vast void. When all the humans we know are spending time with family, our dogs make us a priority. They are family. Will Judy married late in life and I believe he understood this. One of my favorite quotes of his is,”If you can’t have a child have a dog. If you can, have both of them.”
Happy Birthday to Will Judy on September 20th (and my brother John’s birthday, too) and Happy National Dog Week September 21-27. Please feel free to post photos of your precious pups over on the official National Dog Week Facebook Page next week and year-round!
My writing about dogs and widowhood have been a key component of my path forward. I find refuge in my writing, especially when related to dogs, and look forward to future projects and growth. If you aren’t on Facebook, feel free to share your photos in the comment section below or send to [email protected] and I will post for you. I know how much your dogs, and other pets, have brought you comfort and joy.
