Golden Dasher

 

Dasher

The Wichita Eagle recently [December 2004] invited readers to participate in a story-writing contest celebrating the season. Eagle writer Denise Neil has crafted the beginning of a Christmas story, entitled “Dasher, the Christmas Dog,” as shown below. Please enjoy these special endings from four dear Golden friends!


Dasher, the Christmas Dog

It was midnight, Christmas Eve, and Sam knew his mind must be playing tricks on him again. So many nights over the past year, he’d thought he heard that familiar scratch-scratch-scratching on the back door. Until recently, he’d jump and run to the door every time. But it was never Dasher. It wasn’t Dasher this time either, Sam told himself, and he stayed planted in his chair—remembering.

Dasher was the Campbell family’s golden retriever. But he was so much more than a pet. The family had adopted Dasher from a pet rescue six years earlier, and they’d been amazed by how smart he was—and how much he loved people. They couldn’t imagine how anyone would have ever let that dog get away. “Someone’s got to be missing you very much tonight,“ Lisa, Sam’s wife, would often tell Dasher, rubbing him lovingly between the ears.

Sam’s daughter, Sarah, had started teaching Dasher tricks not long after he moved in. In his signature performance, which Sarah had dubbed “The Christmas Special,“ Dasher would retrieve a wrapped candy cane from a bag in the middle of the room and deliver one to each person.

The family decided one Christmas to take Dasher to nursing homes and hospitals to perform his trick for lonely and sick patients. It wasn’t long before Dasher had become a local canine celebrity. The media had even come out for the past three years to put “Dasher the Christmas dog“ on the evening news.

But last Christmas Eve was the worst the Campbells had ever experienced. They’d returned from their annual Dasher rounds in high spirits and had let the dog into the fenced back yard, like they always did before bed. They went to the kitchen to begin preparations for the next day’s Christmas dinner. Sam waited for the scratch-scratch-scratching at the back screen that signaled Dasher was ready to come in. Dasher wanted to be with his family so much, he rarely stayed out for more than 10 minutes. But when he hadn’t scratched after 30, Sam got worried. He went outside. “Dasher. Dasher. Come here, boy!“ he called.But the dog was gone.

That night and the following days were a blur for the Campbells. They spent Christmas Day canvassing the city putting up missing-dog posters. The news stations did stories on Dasher’s disappearance. Days passed, then weeks. But the Campbells never heard a word about Dasher’s whereabouts. The pain had started to lessen a bit by the time fall rolled around. But the family never stopped thinking about Dasher. Lisa still called the animal shelter every Monday, hoping a golden retriever had shown up. For his part, Sam never stopped thinking he heard that scratching.

Suddenly, he was jolted back into the present. There it was again. This time, Sam was pretty sure he wasn’t imagining it. He couldn’t stop himself. Sam jumped from the chair and ran to the door. When he flung it open, his heart nearly jumped out of his sweater. There sat Dasher, looking just as he had the year before. He even had on his same collar.

“Lisa, Sarah, get down here, NOW!“ Sam screamed, waking his family from their Christmas Eve sleep. As Dasher bound into the room, nearly licking the smile from Sam’s face, the dog dropped a candy cane he’d been holding in his mouth. Sam then noticed that a note was attached to Dasher’s collar. As Sarah’s joyous screams filled the room, Sam pulled the note loose and slowly unfolded it.


 

Here is the Golden ending by Kathy Anne Harris!

Sam read the note...

“I have a feeling your Christmas just got merrier, and mine a little sadder. Over six years ago my wife, Frances, found a sun-colored pup on our doorstep. She doted on him and he became a member of our family.”

“As the pup grew, he’d often disappear for days at a time. Frantic at first, we would search everywhere. Each time we’d find him in the company of a human who, for various reasons, was in need of a friend. He did this so often we started calling him Dasher. One day he did not return.”

“Eighteen months ago Frances was diagnosed with cancer. On Christmas Day of last year your Golden lad scratched on our front door. He looked so much like our Dasher, I started calling him by that name. He and my wife were inseparable until her death three days ago.”

“After the funeral, I had the family reception at our house. While eating we shared our memories of Frances. When the conversation died down, Dasher padded over to the coffee table. Frances kept the bowl on the table filled with candy at Christmas time.”

“Dasher took a candy cane out of the bowl, came over and laid it in my lap. He whimpered, then trotted to the front door and scratched at it to be let out.”

“I opened the door. Dasher walked over to the hedges and began digging. In a few moments he returned—a dirty collar in his mouth. He then made soft talking sounds and dropped the collar at my feet.”

“As I picked it up I noticed two grimy tags; a license tag and an ID tag. When I read the ID tag I choked back an unexpected sob.”

“Dasher... I couldn’t believe it. ‘Our Dasher,’ it had to be. I looked from the tag to the Golden before me. Dasher’s expression went from hopeful to wistful.”

“Dasher leaned into me, his weight against my legs like the embrace of an old friend. He looked up at me and I knew his visit was over—he wanted to go home.”

“After everyone left I called Dasher over to me. I had cleaned his collar and the tags jingled brightly as I slipped it over his head. I then bent down and sobbed into his Golden fur.”

“It was a quiet ride for the two of us, as I drove to your place. When I reached over to open the door to let Dasher out, he nudged my wrist, licked my hand and sighed.”

“In my sadness and grief, I had forgotten this letter. I pulled the note out of my shirt pocket to write the final words. I finished and glanced at Dasher. He smiled and I saw a flash of red and white under his velvety muzzle. I believe it is a gift for you.”

“Thank you, from a stranger who’s been warmed by sunlight, wrapped in Golden fur. Welcome him well. When you hug him, please hug him for me. I couldn’t do so to say good-bye for fear I’d not let him go.”

Lisa took the note and as she began to read, Sam sank his hands into the warm ruff of Dasher’s neck and hugged him long, and well.


Here is the Golden ending by Lori Cacciatore!

The note was gooey and sticky, and folded inside it, was a letter. It was difficult, but Sam managed to pry the corners apart. It read:

Dear Campbell Family,
This is Tommy, writing to you about Dasher, your Golden Retriever. I know he’s been away for a good year, and I’m sure you’ve been worried sick about him. I would have sent him back sooner, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it until now.

You see, Dasher used to be my dog. I saw him on the local news clip where he was visiting the Charity Hospital and wondered whether he used to be my dog Hunter. I’m now 18 years old, but about seven years ago, we had to give up our dog to the Rescue because our family had money troubles and we could no longer afford to keep him. I’ve missed him so much ever since, but knew he would be well taken care of.

Then, last year I saw your family featured on the newscast, and had to find out if your Dasher was indeed my old Hunter! It was wrong, I know, but I hung around your house and watched the comings and goings. Last Christmas Eve, when you had let Dasher out, I was near the driveway and called out “Hunter, here Hunter!” He ran to the fence and started yipping a high yip, like he used to when I would play in the snow with him when I was little. I thought I would just say hello, but something inside me just said “Oh, we’ll only visit for this Christmas and I’ll take you back home. It’ll only be for a day.”

Dasher/Hunter got into my car eagerly and I drove him to my house—his old home. I know I should have left a note or contacted your family, but I was so nervous. Once I saw all the ‘Lost Dog’ posters, I felt too ashamed and guilty for my actions. It was so hard to let Hunter go again.

You see, last year my Mother became very ill. When we saw the news, she said “Oh that looks just like Hunter—how I miss him. I wonder how he is doing.” That got me to thinking that maybe it really was Hunter, and that’s why I was snooping around your place.

When I brought Dasher/Hunter home that Christmas Eve, I showed my Mom the dog and said “Look Mom, it’s a miracle! Hunter’s been found again—can you believe it after all these years? He’s still frisky as ever!” My Mother questioned me how this came to be, and how on earth I’d ever found him again.

I lied and told her that I had contacted the Campbell Family—your family, on a hunch that maybe this was our dog we had to give up, that it turned out it was, and that the family gave the okay to visit. I guess she believed me, because she didn’t question me further, and turned to Hunter and he covered her with sloppy kisses.

I tell you—Dasher/Hunter’s kisses and yipping were better than medicine! Mom didn’t even need her regular dose of pain medicine that night. She was happier than I had ever seen her in a long time.

After that holiday, I tried to bring Hunter back to you. I know I didn’t try very hard though. Whenever I would get in the car and call him, he would refuse to get in—like he knew he’d never be back again. I tried time and time again, but Hunter would not get into the car. My Mom asked me why he hadn’t gone back to his home—I told her that your family said it was okay for him to stay as long as was needed. I know I should have contacted your family. I’m sorry I didn’t. I figured just for a little while longer. I was working now, so I could pay for the dog food and buy him dog toys, and Mom wouldn’t have to worry.

Over the past year, Hunter stuck by my Mother’s side like glue. He was very vigilant, lying beside her on the bed when she was very sick, and he even would bring her slippers to her or the heating pad off of the side table. He’d make her laugh when she seemed down in the dumps and help her forget that she was dying.

Well, it’s almost a year to the day that I borrowed Dasher/Hunter from your back yard; yesterday my Mother lost her battle with cancer. At one point, she was delirious, and I revealed to her that I had actually taken Dasher/Hunter without your family’s permission, but that this persistent Golden Retriever wouldn’t leave her once I had taken him into our home. I thought she wouldn’t remember this admission because she was so sick, but the next day she said, “You know, you have to return Hunter to his home. He’s somebody’s Dasher and I know they miss him as much as we did. Promise me you’ll send back home, his real home, when the time is right.”

I knew what she meant, but I didn’t want to face it.

Yesterday, my Mom was in a bad way, having trouble breathing and was so restless. Dasher/Hunter left the bedroom and went into the living room. I followed him as he went back to my Mom’s room. My Mom managed to breathe, “What have you got there?” Goldens are so bouncy as you know, but he slowly approached the bed and gently leaned his head against my Mother’s chest and dropped something near her hand. She picked it up and saw it was a Candy Cane. It was covered in dog drool, but that didn’t matter. She held it close to her and whispered “Thank you Hunter, and thank you Tommy for this year of happiness. Even though I’m not long for this world, I have to tell you that you both are ‘my two boys’ and I’ll love you forever.”

I left the room, a little teary eyed, and let Hunter and my Mom be together. A while later, I went to check on my Mom to see if she wanted some hot tea. I felt right away that something was wrong. Dasher/Hunter was lying next to my Mom on the bed, his head resting on her shoulder, whimpering softly. I knew that Mom had passed on. I could barely give my address when I called 911, I was so upset.

The Paramedics came right away. There was nothing they could do—she was gone. It was only then that Dasher/Hunter would leave her side. I guess he knew his job was done and that Mom was now at peace and no longer in pain. Before they put her body on the stretcher, they took something out of her hand and gave it to me. It was the Candy Cane and a note with it—the one I’m including with this letter. It reads “Thank you for the gift of love. Please don’t be angry with my boy—he was following his heart. This beautiful Golden Retriever is returned to you with thanks for the visit and also an apology that he’s been away so long. He’s a dog with the capacity to love freely, without judgment, unerring in his devotion to making a sad heart smile. He made me smile. Thank you.”

So, here’s the Candy Cane, which was a special gift to my Mother from this special Golden, and now a symbolic gift to your family from me. I hope you’ll understand. I know this past year wasn’t easy for you. I wish I could make up for the heartache I know I caused. I knew the only way to make amends was to return your dog home, to his rightful home. I knew too, that this would be the ultimate Christmas gift to my Mom, returning our Hunter, your Dasher. Her funeral is in a few days. I clipped a bit of Dasher/Hunter’s fur and tied it with ribbon. I’ll be putting it in Mom’s casket. That dog sure brought her joy.

By the way, near the gate of your fence, I’ve left a bag of the food I’d been feeding him, and all of his toys. He really loves the green squeaky ball.

Dasher belongs with your family, but right or wrong, for one year, he was our Hunter again. I guess he has been a gift to both our families. I’ll miss him, but know he’s back where he belongs, with a loving and caring family. I hope you have a Merry Christmas. May Dasher bring joy to your family for many years to come.

I’ll just sign my name—Tommy—Dasher’s old pal.

 

Here is the Golden ending by Lily Cavanagh!

Sam unfolded the note, quietly reading, soon tears were rolling down his cheeks. The paper dropped to the floor where Lisa picked it up and began reading . . .

Dear Mr. Campbell,
My name is Harry Brown, and I’ve been taking care of Dasher for the last 12 months. Just over a year ago now, my wife was in hospital dying of a brain tumour. One day, just before she died, she told my son Jimmy and I, about a visit she’d had from a Golden dog, and how much he had brightened up her day, Jimmy loved listening to his mom talking of this wonderful ‘Golden’ dog who came to visit his mom and helped cheer her up Sadly my wife died the next day, and naturally Jimmy and I were distraught.

Last Christmas Eve, Jimmy ran away from school as he was the only little boy who didn’t have a Mommy to see him in the class Christmas Pageant. Blinded by his tears he almost walked in front of a truck, but was saved by a Golden dog who ran towards him and pushed him to safety!

Jimmy immediately thought that his mom had sent this dog to Jimmy as a sign and as a Christmas gift from her. And so, Dasher and Jimmy came home together.

I immediately recognized this dog from all the stories in the papers and on TV, and I knew that his real owners would be looking for him. But looking at my little boy’s face, his wide smile, as he cuddled this beautiful Golden, I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything about returning him, not then.

Jimmy and Dasher have been inseparable all year. It’s been just over a year since my wife died, and I got to realising that somewhere out there were Dasher’s real owners, who must be missing him terribly. So now I return him to you . . . with my deep apologies and begging you to please forgive this man, who was only thinking of his son’s happiness. Jimmy will be upset, but I will explain it to him as best I can. Please forgive me.

“Harry”

Lisa and Sam looked at each other, and nodded, and Sam picked up the phone.

Christmas morning . . . Harry and Jimmy sat quietly in their house, having unwrapped their gifts for each other. Little Jimmy, his eyes red and swollen with tears that had been flowing all night, tried to look happy as he unwrapped the huge fire truck his dad had given him, but Harry knew his heart wasn’t in it . . . he was missing Dasher, and he couldn’t blame him.

“I’m sorry son, but I had to do it. Dasher had a family before us, and I’m sure they were missing him terribly . . .” his voice trailed off as Jimmy burst into tears and left the room.

Suddenly a loud knocking at the door broke the silence, and a barking, a familiar bark! Jimmy raced to the door . . . “It’s Dasher, that’s Dasher’s bark, he’s come home . . . to us!!” he was screaming.

As he threw open the door a golden blur launched itself at Jimmy covering his face in licks, the golden plumed tail wagging frantically back and forth. Harry looked at his son, at his happy face, and then looked to see a couple with a young girl carrying a huge basket in her arms.

Sam walked forward, holding out his hand.“Hi there, you must be Harry Brown, and that little boy must be Jimmy. We’re Dasher’s mom and dad, I’m Sam, my wife here is Lisa, and my daughter, Sarah.”

Harry shook Sam’s hand tentatively, his eyes questioning.

“We looked up your name in the phone book, that’s how we found you. We just came here to thank you, and especially little Jimmy here, for taking such good care of Dasher. We really appreciate it, and to show it, we have a surprise for you Jimmy!”

Sarah stepped forward, placing the basket gently on the ground and removing its cover. . A Golden Retriever puppy, so soft, fluffy and adorable, sat there, whining gently. Tied to her neck was a pink bow and a candy cane.

Jimmy gasped, and stepped forward, dropping to his knees as he caressed the puppy’s coat and hugged the puppy to him.. Sam gulped and spoke quietly.” She’s all yours Jimmy, on one condition! The lady who owned her Mommy asked me to make sure that she had a name that had already been given to her, and that’s Candy!”

Harry gave a strangled cry and hugged his son and the puppy tightly as he looked up at Sam and Lisa and sobbed. “My wife’s name was Candace, Candy for short!”

Dasher barked then, loud and long, the puppy joining in. ”Merry Christmas” laughed Jimmy, “Merry Christmas!!”

 

Here is the Golden ending by Cheryl Olvera!

Sam wondered how Dasher showed up. He was a little afraid to see what the note said. It didn’t say much.

“Please see the person standing at the end of the driveway.” Sam peered out and saw a small figure standing back by a minivan parked on the street. He told Sarah to stay in the house with Dasher as he walked toward the petite woman. But Dasher ran out to see her and was obviously glad she was there.

“Hi, I’m Jane, and now I know I have the right house.” “Please come in,” Sam begged. “I’d like to know what’s going on here.” Sarah brought the visitor a cup of hot tea. “I’m sure you want to know where your friend has been for the last year.”

“Last year, we had moved a few weeks before Christmas and I couldn’t bear to be hundreds of miles away from my mom who had lived in a local nursing home. We packed up her belongings and drove 400 miles to Florida. When we got home and opened the truck there was this wonderful golden retriever curled up in a chair. He had a collar, but we couldn’t find his tags. He followed us into the house and nudged Mom as she rolled her walker into the kitchen. He sat in front of her and smiled. It seemed like he knew her. We couldn’t ask mom, though, as she had Alzheimer’s and couldn’t tell us who this beautiful guy was.

We put an ad in the paper here but no one called. Money was pretty tight and we couldn’t run the ad for long, but we promised each other that when we got back up here we would look for his family. We decided to call him Max. Max was the friendliest dog we had ever met. He slept in Mom’s room and seemed to watch over her.

Mom’s health got worse. Weeks turned into months and months turned into a year. And as anxious as we all were at times, Max seemed to make everything better. He lay next to Mom when she was so sick she couldn’t get up. Sometimes he stayed with her and wouldn’t eat for days. And when she died, he seemed to understand. He was a comfort to all of us.

As it got closer to Christmas, I realized he had to have a heartbroken family that missed him terribly. We drove back here and checked with the Humane Society. We had no idea that some dogs have chips that are implanted in them. The receptionist told us about him and that his name was Dasher. They also had an old flyer about him. As I read his story, I realized he did know Mom from Golden Acres. He must have been her friend all along.

I hope you will forgive us for borrowing him for a year.”

Sam replied, “Consider the year a gift from Dasher. I think his devotion is the best Christmas present any of us could get.

 


Your choice — turn off music or keep on.


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